SHIPWRECK REPORT: O.M. Bond

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: O.M. Bond

• Type: Schooner

• Official Number: 19383

• Construction:

• Built: 1873 by A. Miller & Co.

• Material: Wood

• Location: Oswego, New York

• Dimensions:

• Length: 137 feet (41.8 meters)

• Beam: 25 feet (7.6 meters)

• Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 315.37 tons

• Net Tonnage: 299.61 tons

• Home Port: Oswego, New York

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The O.M. Bond was a wooden Schooner designed for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. Built in 1873, it featured a sturdy construction typical of vessels used for hauling commodities such as grain, lumber, and coal during the late 19th century.

HISTORY

Construction and Service

• The Schooner was built in Oswego, New York, and was actively engaged in Great Lakes trade.

• Owned by Captain Peter Lefevre at the time of its sinking, the O.M. Bond regularly carried bulk cargo between ports in the United States and Canada.

Notable Incidents

1. 1879: The vessel sank near Sand Beach, Michigan, but was recovered and returned to service.

2. May 1886: Sank near Port Dalhousie, Ontario, after a significant mishap but was raised and Rebuilt in Buffalo, New York.

3. October 14, 1886: Capsized during a storm on Lake Erie near Rondeau, Ontario, resulting in its final loss.

FINAL VOYAGE

• Date: October 14, 1886

• Cargo: 22,000 bushels of wheat

• Route: Detroit, Michigan, to Buffalo, New York

• Incident:

• A sudden wind shift during a storm caused the Schooner to lose steerage and capsize.

• The vessel was driven ashore approximately 4 miles west of Rondeau, Ontario.

• Casualties:

• Deceased: Patrick Ryan (mate) and Joseph Hughes (sailor).

• Survivors: Five crew members clung to the rigging and were rescued by a local man in a skiff.

CONDITION AT THE TIME OF LOSS

• The O.M. Bond had recently undergone a Rebuild after being raised near Port Dalhousie earlier in 1886.

• Questions arose regarding the vessel’s seaworthiness following the Rebuild, with implications for potential insurance claims.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• Wreck Location: Approximately 4 miles west of Rondeau, Ontario, Lake Erie.

• Depth: The exact depth and condition of the wreck are not documented in available records.

• Visibility: Likely buried or deteriorated due to years of exposure and sediment accumulation.

SIGNIFICANCE

The O.M. Bond is a poignant reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by Schooner crews on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its repeated sinkings and final tragic loss highlight the perils of navigating these vast inland seas, especially during unpredictable weather conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships

KEYWORDS

#GreatLakesShipwrecks #LakeErie #SchoonerOMBond #MaritimeHistory #RondeauOntario