Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: APPELONA

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Date of Incident: Not precisely recorded; occurred in the era of active maritime trade on Lake Ontario.

•Location: Approximately 16 miles offshore, between Oswego and Genesee, Lake Ontario.

•Coordinates: Not specified, but about 18–20 miles southeast of Oswego light.

•Cargo: Pot-ashes, salt, and approximately 16 tons of salt ballast.

•Condition: Total Loss due to lightning strike and subsequent sinking.

Vessel Type Description

The APPELONA was a wooden Schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. These vessels were known for their versatility and ability to transport various bulk goods across the lakes. Rigged fore-and-aft, schooners like the APPELONA were maneuverable and capable of withstanding moderate storms, though they were still vulnerable to severe weather events like the one that caused this shipwreck.

History

The APPELONA, under the command of Captain W. Merrill, departed Oswego in the evening with a partial cargo of pot-ashes, salt, and ballast. The vessel was en route to Genesee when it encountered a sudden squall rising from the west.

While laying to with a close-reefed fore sail, the APPELONA was struck by lightning in a catastrophic event that inflicted widespread damage:

•Damage Details:

•Destroyed the tiller, rudder head, binnacle, Windlass, Bulkhead, and cabin stairs.

•Struck and damaged the cargo, including the potash and salt barrels.

•Tore a plank from the larboard side, leading to rapid flooding.

Rescue Efforts

Realizing the Schooner was sinking, the crew prepared a small boat. Within 15 minutes of the lightning strike, the vessel sank. Battling strong northwest winds and heavy waves, the crew navigated the water-filled boat to shore, eventually landing 13 miles below Oswego.

Final Disposition

The APPELONA sank between Oswego and Genesee, approximately 16 miles offshore. Reports pinpoint its location in this general vicinity, though no detailed wreck documentation exists. The ship and its cargo were declared a Total Loss.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the APPELONA wreck. Mariners navigating between Oswego and Genesee should be aware of historical wreck sites and submerged hazards.

Located By & Date

The precise wreck site has not been formally located or surveyed. Reports from the time of the sinking indicate the Schooner lies 16 miles offshore in the general vicinity of its last known position.

Resources & Links

1.C. Patrick Labadie: Historical Records on Great Lakes Ships

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Data

3.C. E. Feltner Enrollments Database: Great Lakes vessel registry information.

4.Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley: Context on maritime operations during this period.

Keywords

APPELONA, wooden Schooner, lightning strike, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Oswego, Genesee, maritime history, Great Lakes, 19th-century shipping, weather disasters.

Conclusion

The APPELONA exemplifies the dangers faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite its robust construction, the vessel could not withstand the force of a lightning strike combined with severe weather. The crew’s survival and eventual rescue highlight the resilience and quick thinking of mariners during this perilous era of shipping. The ship’s story remains a poignant reminder of the hazards that shaped Great Lakes maritime history.