Identification & Site Information

•Name: Omar Pacha

•Type: Schooner (three-masted)

•Built: 1854, Oshawa, Ontario

•Builder: Lamorse or Lummaree

•Dimensions:

•Length: 133 feet (40.5 meters)

•Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)

•Tonnage: 220 tons (register tonnage)

•Final Resting Place: Off Stoney Island, Lake Ontario

Vessel Type Description

The Omar Pacha was a robust, three-masted wooden Schooner, purpose-built for the transportation of bulk cargo, primarily wheat. Owned by Gooderham & Co. of Toronto, the Schooner exemplified the rugged and utilitarian vessels integral to the Great Lakes’ booming mid-19th-century trade network. Its name, inspired by a notable Turkish general, symbolized strength, resilience, and the global influences of the era.

History

Launched in 1854, the Omar Pacha was a vital link in the Great Lakes trade, connecting ports like Toronto with others across the region. For nearly a decade, the Schooner transported valuable cargoes of wheat, reflecting the growing economic interdependence of the lakeside communities.

The Final Voyage

On November 25, 1862, the Omar Pacha embarked on its final journey from Toronto, laden with wheat. As it neared Stoney Island, New York, the vessel was caught in a violent blizzard. Battling relentless winds and waves, the Schooner was driven ashore and broke apart.

The crew of seven endured a harrowing survival ordeal:

•They clung to the wreckage and used shattered masts to reach the icy shore of Stoney Island.

•Tragically, the cook succumbed to the storm’s severity, leaving six survivors.

•Stranded on the desolate island for a month, the survivors braved harsh winter conditions with minimal resources.

•Their eventual rescue, facilitated by the frozen lake and a daring sleigh journey to Kingston, Ontario, stands as a testament to their resilience and resourcefulness.

Final Disposition

The Omar Pacha was declared a Total Loss, its remains Abandoned beneath the waters of Lake Ontario. While the precise location of the wreck is unknown, it is believed to rest near Stoney Island. The ship’s tragic demise marked the end of a vessel that had contributed significantly to the Great Lakes’ maritime commerce.

Located By & Date

•The wreck of the Omar Pacha has not been definitively located or surveyed in modern times.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are linked to the Omar Pacha wreck.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive accounts and historical records.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Database of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Great Lakes Ships: Historical archives of vessels.

•YouTube Video by Dan Gildea: Exploration of the Omar Pacha’s legacy and significance.

Keywords

Omar Pacha, Wooden Schooner, Gooderham & Co., Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Stoney Island Wreck, 19th-Century Maritime History, Great Lakes Wheat Trade, Great Lakes Storms, Canadian Maritime Heritage.

Conclusion

The Omar Pacha’s story encapsulates the resilience and peril faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its contribution to the region’s wheat trade underscores its importance in Canadian maritime history, while the harrowing survival of its crew during the 1862 blizzard remains a testament to human determination. Though its exact wreck site remains undiscovered, the legacy of the Omar Pacha lives on as a poignant chapter in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.