Identification & Site Information

• • Vessel Name: WILLIAM JOHN
• • Built By: William Quick
• • Place of Construction: Dexter, New York, USA
• • Year Built: 1844
• • Dimensions: Two-masted Schooner, 72 tons (old style measurement)
• • Home Port: Dexter, New York
• • Final Voyage: November 1872
• • Location of Sinking: Approximately 10 miles north of Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
• • Cargo on Final Voyage: Peas

Vessel Type Description

The WILLIAM JOHN was a two-masted Schooner, a versatile vessel designed for transporting bulk cargoes such as lumber, wheat, and agricultural goods across the Great Lakes. Its design was typical of mid-19th-century schooners, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency to serve the bustling trade routes of the era.

History

The WILLIAM JOHN enjoyed a long and eventful career, demonstrating resilience through numerous ownership changes, repairs, and incidents.

1. Early Years (1844-1854):

• Constructed by William Quick, who also served as its first owner.

• Operated out of Dexter, New York, primarily transporting goods across Lake Ontario and beyond.

2. Incidents and Repairs:

• 1854: Went ashore in Port Colborne, Ontario, while carrying lumber.

• 1865: Underwent significant repairs totaling 60 tons.

• 1870: Wrecked in Kingston, Ontario, while carrying 4,000 bushels of wheat. It was successfully raised and later owned by James Wilson of Kingston.

3. Ownership Transitions:

• By 1866, the Schooner was under the ownership of John Quick in Montreal, Quebec.

• In November 1870, James Wilson of Kingston took over its ownership, following its recovery from the Kingston wreck.

Final Voyage and Sinking

On a fateful voyage in November 1872, the WILLIAM JOHN set sail from Trenton, Ontario, to Oswego, New York, laden with peas. Approximately 10 miles north of Oswego, the vessel began taking on water rapidly. Despite the crew’s efforts to pump the water for nearly four hours, they were unable to save the Schooner.

• Abandonment and Rescue:

• Captain James Savage, the vessel’s owner, ordered the crew to abandon ship.

• The crew lowered the Yawl and were rescued by the Schooner CENTURION.

• As the crew watched, the WILLIAM JOHN sank headfirst beneath the waves, ending its decades-long service on the Great Lakes.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the WILLIAM JOHN has not been located or documented, remaining a mystery beneath Lake Ontario.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Obstructions: The sinking area north of Oswego, New York, is known for its historical wrecks. Mariners are advised to navigate carefully in this region.

• Advisories: Modern charts may not mark all submerged hazards in this location.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The WILLIAM JOHN’s wreck condition is unknown, as no underwater surveys have confirmed its location. Given Lake Ontario’s cold waters, which slow decay, portions of the vessel might remain intact.

Sources and External Links

• C. Patrick Labadie Collection

• Oswego Palladium, November 13, 1872

• Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, November 14, 1872

• The Toronto Mail, November 14, 1872

• Department of Marine & Fisheries Statement of Wreck & Casualty for 1872

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website

• Marine Casualties of the Great Lakes 1863-1873

• Toronto Globe, November 1, 1870

• Daily News, Kingston, October 31, 1870

Conclusion

The WILLIAM JOHN exemplifies the tenacity of Great Lakes schooners and their crews, braving treacherous conditions to support the region’s thriving trade. Its long career, punctuated by challenges and triumphs, is a testament to the resilience of 19th-century maritime operations. Though lost to the depths of Lake Ontario, its legacy endures in the annals of Great Lakes history.