Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: NEKICK (also NAKICK, later renamed FLORA)

•Type: Schooner

•Route at Time of Loss: Oswego to Sackett’s Harbor, bound for St. Vincent

•Fate: Capsized during a squall

•Final Location: Found floating Keel-up in the St. Lawrence River and towed to St. Vincent

•Master at Time of Loss: Capt. Sias (spelling sometimes recorded as “Siasd”)

Vessel Type Description

The NEKICK (later known as FLORA) was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a vessel type common to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River in the 19th century. Schooners were versatile sailing vessels designed for the transportation of bulk goods and general freight. NEKICK would have been similarly employed, connecting key ports along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

History

Incident Summary

The NEKICK was on a voyage from Oswego to Sackett’s Harbor, en route to St. Vincent, when it encountered a devastating squall. The sudden and violent storm caused the vessel to capsize, resulting in the tragic loss of all hands aboard.

The next day, the Schooner was discovered floating Keel-up in the St. Lawrence River. It was subsequently towed to St. Vincent (likely St. Vincent, Ontario), where it was brought ashore. Despite the vessel’s recovery, none of the crew survived, making this a complete maritime tragedy.

Post-Incident Notes

After the incident, the Schooner was reportedly renamed FLORA and possibly repaired for continued use. However, further operational history or any subsequent incidents involving the vessel remain undocumented.

Final Disposition

The NEKICK/FLORA was retrieved from the water following the squall, but its ultimate fate after being towed to St. Vincent is unclear. The renaming to FLORA suggests it may have been repaired and returned to service, though no surviving records confirm its continued operation.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No evidence suggests the wreck or remains of the NEKICK/FLORA exist at its final location. It is believed the vessel was salvaged, making it unlikely to have left significant physical traces.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

•There are no known modern NOTMARs or advisories regarding the NEKICK/FLORA.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides historical data on similar vessels and events.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: May contain additional references to the NEKICK or vessels renamed FLORA.

•Local Historical Societies: Archives in Oswego, Sackett’s Harbor, or St. Vincent regions could yield more detailed records.

Analysis

The story of the NEKICK/FLORA reflects the perils of 19th-century navigation in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Squalls were a frequent and deadly hazard, capable of overwhelming even seasoned crews. The complete loss of life aboard underscores the vulnerability of Schooner crews to sudden storms. The recovery of the vessel and its potential renaming illustrate the era’s pragmatic approach to maritime incidents, where vessels, if recoverable, were often repaired and returned to service despite their tragic histories.