SHIPWRECK REPORT: SCOW OTTOCA

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Ottoca

• Type: Scow

• Built: Before 1854

• Final Incident Date: October 26, 1860

• Location of Loss: Near Point au Pelee Light, Lake Erie

• Depth: Approximately 30 feet (5 fathoms)

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

The Ottoca was a scow operating on the Great Lakes, primarily engaged in cargo transport on routes connecting Buffalo, Huron, Sandusky, Toledo, and other ports. Its robust design and modifications allowed it to withstand the challenges of Great Lakes navigation during the mid-19th century.

• Notable Features:

• New arches installed by Bidwell & Banta in October 1854, replacing storm-damaged components.

• Machinery repairs completed in December 1856 after damage during a gale.

HISTORY

Operational History:

The Ottoca served several prominent lines, including:

• Buffalo-Huron-Sandusky-Toledo Line (1854–1855)

• People’s Line (May 1855)

• Western Transportation Co. (1857)

• Buffalo-Cleveland-Chicago Line and North Shore Line (1860)

Incidents and Repairs:

1. Collision with Brig Greyhound (October 12, 1855):

• Location: Near Fox Island, Lake Michigan.

• Extent of damage unknown.

2. Gale Damage (December 1856):

• Machinery sustained damage on Lake Erie.

• Repairs completed in Buffalo.

3. Boiler Explosion (October 9, 1860):

• Occurred weeks before the final sinking.

Final Incident (October 26, 1860):

• Event:

• The Ottoca struck the submerged wreck of the propeller Mount Vernon, which had exploded earlier.

• The scow sank in five fathoms of water near Point au Pelee Light, Lake Erie.

• Contributing Factors:

• A buoy marked the wreck’s position, but the crew member at the wheel failed to heed it.

• Other crew members were below Deck at the time of the incident, limiting their ability to assist in navigation.

• Outcome:

• The Ottoca was lost, though there is no record of casualties.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Ottoca lies submerged in approximately 30 feet of water near the Point au Pelee Light. The wreck’s proximity to the Mount Vernonadds historical significance to the site, representing two intertwined maritime tragedies.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Ottoca’s operational history highlights the challenges faced by Great Lakes vessels during the 19th century, including collisions, mechanical failures, and harsh weather. Its loss near the wreck of the Mount Vernon underscores the hazards posed by submerged wreckage and the limitations of early navigation aids.

NOTES FOR EXPLORERS AND HISTORIANS

• Site Location: The wreck is approximately S. 3/4 W., three-fourths of a mile from the “Dummy” or mainland, near Point au Pelee Light.

• Potential Artifacts: The wreck may contain components indicative of mid-19th-century scow construction and operational equipment.

• Historical Significance: Documents from the Buffalo Daily Republic and the Detroit Advertiser provide valuable context for understanding the circumstances of the sinking.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Buffalo Daily Republic, October 26 & 29, 1860.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Western Transportation Co. Historical Records

CONCLUSION

The story of the Ottoca is a reminder of the inherent dangers faced by early Great Lakes vessels. From collisions to mechanical failures, the scow’s operational history reflects the resilience and ingenuity of the 19th-century maritime industry, even in the face of frequent adversity. The wreck, resting near Point au Pelee, serves as a historic site linking two significant maritime losses.

KEYWORDS

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #Ottoca #PointauPelee #MaritimeHistory #LakeErie