Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Oatland (formerly known as William J. Averell)
• Vessel Type: Wooden Package Freighter
• Location: Button Bay, Wolfe Island, St. Lawrence River
• Coordinates: Latitude 44°09.0547’N, Longitude 76°20.5399’W
• Depth: 0.3 meters (1 foot) at its shallowest point, with parts of the wreck visible above the water
• Length: 75 meters (246 feet)
• Final Disposition: Scuttled in Button Bay, Wolfe Island near Cape Vincent, New York, in Lake Ontario, 1931

Vessel Type Description

The Oatland, originally built as the William J. Averell, was a wooden package freighter designed to transport goods such as grain, manufactured products, and building materials across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Constructed in 1884, the ship featured a fore and aft compound engine and typical late 19th-century freighter designs, including diagonal strapping and two funnels. It was a powerful and efficient cargo carrier for its time.

History

Construction and Launch Launched on March 29, 1884, by Detroit Dry Dock in Wyandotte, Michigan. Built for Ogdensburg Transportation Co., the shipping division of the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad, at a cost of $70,000.

Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 1,603.14 tons Net Tonnage: 1,425.43 tons Cargo Capacity: 43,000 bushels of wheat or 1,450 tons on a 14-foot Draft.

Operational Years

The Oatland primarily transported grain from western regions to Ogdensburg, New York, for rail transport eastward. Additionally, it carried manufactured goods and building stone westward.

Incidents and Modifications

• 1885: Owners defaulted on payments, leading to winter repairs (1885–1886).
• 1890: Ran aground on South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan, on June 13.
• 1894: Received a new propeller.
• 1899: Ownership transferred to Rutland Transit, following Central Vermont Railroad’s acquisition.
• 1916: Sold to Great Lakes Transit Co., then transferred to Canadian registry under Lake & River Transportation Co., Montreal. Vessel was lengthened at Cantin’s Dry Dock, Montreal.
• 1921: Became part of Canada Steamship Lines after Montreal Transportation Co. fleet dissolution.
• 1927, the ship was retired and laid up in Kingston, Ontario.
• 1931: Officially declared Abandoned, partially dismantled, and scuttled near Cape Vincent, New York.

Final Disposition

The wreck now lies submerged in Button Bay, Wolfe Island, in the St. Lawrence River. Over time, natural forces have fragmented the vessel. Some Hull portions remain visible above the waterline, posing a hazard to surface navigation.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: The wreck is heavily deteriorated, with parts of the Hull breaking apart due to natural forces.

Accessibility: Shallow water makes the site accessible, though caution is necessary for divers and boaters. Visible Hull fragments above the waterline indicate the wreck’s position clearly.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database: Comprehensive data on freighters like the Oatland Great Lakes Maritime Database
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical data on shipwrecks and freighter operations. Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Wrecksite EU: Global resource for shipwreck data, including Great Lakes wrecks. Wrecksite EU
• Library and Archives Canada: Registration records and historical documents for Canadian vessels.Library and Archives Canada

Conclusion

The wreck of the Oatland tells the story of a once-prominent package freighter that served both U.S. and Canadian interests. Its transition between ownerships and operational duties reflects the economic shifts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the remnants of this vessel serve as a historical artifact and a reminder of the maritime legacy of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Keywords

Oatland, William J. Averell, Wooden Freighter, Wolfe Island, Button Bay, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Great Lakes Maritime History, Scuttled Vessel, Shallow Wreck.