Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Commodore Owen (often referred to as Owen)

•Official Number: Not documented

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Tonnage: Not documented

•Dimensions: Length, beam, and depth not specified

•Construction: Wooden Hull, single Deck, two masts

•Owner & Captain: Captain Sinclair

•Location of Wreck: Near Oak Orchard, approximately 40 miles below Niagara, Lake Ontario, USA

•Depth of Wreck: Not documented; vessel driven ashore

•GPS Coordinates: Approximate location; specific coordinates not available

•Date of Wreck: November 1820

Vessel Type Description

The Commodore Owen was a wooden Schooner, typical of the early 19th-century Great Lakes sailing vessels. These schooners were primarily used for cargo transport between key ports such as Kingston and York (now Toronto). While specific construction details remain unknown, the vessel was designed for efficient navigation across the often challenging waters of Lake Ontario. It was captained by Captain Sinclair, known for his careful and methodical approach to navigation.

History

The Final Voyage

In November 1820, the Commodore Owen departed Kingston, Ontario, bound for York, carrying an unspecified cargo. During the journey, a severe gale accompanied by heavy snowfall struck Lake Ontario, creating treacherous conditions that proved fatal for many vessels during this storm.

Despite Captain Sinclair’s experience, the Commodore Owen struck ground near Oak Orchard, approximately 40 miles below Niagara. In a desperate bid to save the vessel, the crew dropped anchors, but the storm’s power forced Captain Sinclair to slip the cable, attempting to drive the Schooner closer to shore. The vessel began taking on water, forcing the crew and passengers to abandon ship.

The Ordeal

The 13 individuals on board, including crew and passengers, endured freezing conditions and exposure to the storm’s fury. They eventually reached shore safely, though shaken by the harrowing experience. The cargo, largely ruined by exposure, was salvaged to the extent possible, but much was lost.

Captain Sinclair’s Observations

Captain Sinclair later expressed uncertainty about the cause of the wreck. He had been vigilant, checking the compass regularly and ensuring the helmsman followed a course to York. He speculated that compass error, a widely debated issue among sailors during snowstorms, might have contributed to the tragedy. Sinclair suggested that the compass’s construction flaws—rather than the snowstorm—might have been responsible.

Related Incidents

The storm that doomed the Commodore Owen also wreaked havoc on Lake Ontario, resulting in numerous maritime tragedies:

1.Schooner Mayflower: Lost at Cobourg; Captain Patterson drowned.

2.Schooners Kingston Packet & York Packet: Driven ashore at Niagara; York Packet severely damaged.

3.Schooner Wellington: Completely wrecked near Stoney Creek.

4.Schooner Catherine: Aground near Pultneyville; wrecked.

5.American Vessels: Three stranded near the lake’s head.

These losses underline the perilous conditions faced by sailors navigating Lake Ontario, particularly during autumn gales.

Final Disposition

The Commodore Owen was driven ashore and wrecked near Oak Orchard. Salvage efforts recovered parts of the vessel, including sails, rigging, anchors, and cables. Despite the crew and passengers surviving, the cargo was largely lost, and the Schooner itself was beyond repair.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently associated with the Commodore Owen or the other vessels lost during the November 1820 storm. The event is remembered as part of the maritime history of Lake Ontario.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Commodore Owen has not been located or documented by modern surveys. Its precise location, likely buried or dispersed along the shoreline near Oak Orchard, remains unconfirmed.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Condition: Likely advanced deterioration or total disintegration, given the wreck’s age and the impact of environmental factors.

•Accessibility: Not accessible for diving or exploration.

Resources & Links

•Kingston Chronicle, November-December 1820: Detailed accounts of the storm and shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive database of shipwrecks and incidents.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival records and historical data.

•Wrecksite Database: Repository of historical wreck locations and descriptions.

Conclusion

The Commodore Owen, a wooden Schooner lost during a violent storm in November 1820, exemplifies the dangers of early Great Lakes navigation. Though its crew and passengers survived, the loss of the vessel and its cargo underscores the unpredictable nature of these inland seas. The wreck, along with the other tragedies of that storm, serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by sailors during the region’s early maritime history.

Keywords

•Commodore Owen

•Schooner Wreck

•Lake Ontario Storm 1820

•Oak Orchard Wreck

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Early 19th-Century Shipwrecks