Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Ottoca

•Type: Scow

•Year Built: 1854

•Place Built: Buffalo, New York

•Original Registry: Enrolled in Buffalo on July 8, 1854

•Final Location: Near Point au Pelee, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: Not specified (Approximate location S 3/4 W, three-fourths of a mile from Point au Pelee Light)

•Depth: 5 fathoms (30 feet or 9 meters)

•Dimensions: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The Ottoca was a scow, a type of flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged vessel commonly used in the mid-19th century for transporting bulk cargo such as timber, grain, or coal. These vessels were especially suited to the shallow waters and varied conditions of the Great Lakes. The Ottoca was initially constructed for service on several major shipping routes and underwent modifications early in its operational life.

History

Construction and Early Service

•Built in 1854 and enrolled in Buffalo, New York, the Ottoca entered service on the Buffalo-Huron-Sandusky-Toledo Line.

•In October 1854, the scow was retrofitted with new arches by Bidwell & Banta after storm-related structural stress.

Operational History

•1855: Became part of the People’s Line.

•October 12, 1855: Collided with the Brig Greyhound near Fox Island in Lake Michigan.

•December 1856: Sustained machinery damage during a gale on Lake Erie and underwent repairs in Buffalo.

•1857: Operated under the Western Transportation Co.

•1860: Ran routes on the Buffalo-Cleveland-Chicago Line and the North Shore Line.

Significant Incidents

1.October 9, 1860: Suffered a boiler explosion, marking a critical event in its operational history.

2.October 25, 1860: Struck the wreck of the propeller Mount Vernon near Point au Pelee, Lake Erie, and sank in 5 fathoms of water.

The wreck of the Mount Vernon, marked by a buoy, was identified at S 3/4 W, three-fourths of a mile from the “Dummy” or mainland near Point au Pelee Light. A failure to heed the buoy likely contributed to the Ottoca’s collision and subsequent sinking.

Final Disposition

The Ottoca sank in Lake Erie near Point au Pelee on October 25, 1860, following a collision with the wreck of the Mount Vernon. The vessel’s remains rest at approximately 30 feet (9 meters) underwater. The incident highlights the challenges of navigating waters with known hazards, especially during a period when maritime safety technologies were limited.

Notable Related Vessel: Mount Vernon

The Mount Vernon was a propeller-driven Steamer that had previously exploded and left its wreckage near Point au Pelee. The wreck became a hazard for other vessels, leading to the Ottoca’s demise.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs)

A buoy was placed to mark the wreck of the Mount Vernon, but due to negligence or unforeseen circumstances, the Ottoca’s crew failed to adequately navigate around the obstruction.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Ottoca has not been widely documented or located in modern times. The exact condition of the remains is unknown, but the scow likely suffered significant structural damage when it struck the Mount Vernon wreck. The site may have become buried over time due to sediment accumulation and ice movement in Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

•Buffalo Daily Republic, October 26 & 29, 1860

•Great Lakes Marine Historical Society

•Western Transportation Co. Historical Archives

Keywords

Ottoca, Mount Vernon, scow, Point au Pelee, Lake Erie, shipwreck, 1860 maritime disaster, Great Lakes history, Western Transportation Co., People’s Line.

Analysis

The loss of the Ottoca underscores the Navigation Hazards that plagued 19th-century Great Lakes shipping. The wreck of the Mount Vernon, while marked, became a deadly obstacle, leading to the Ottoca’s demise. The vessel’s history is emblematic of the resilience and eventual vulnerability of wooden vessels during the era, highlighting the risks of early maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.