SHIPWRECK REPORT: Tip Top

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Tip Top

•Type: Wooden Canalboat

•Year Built: 1862

•Builder: Not specified, constructed in Phoenix, New York

•Official Number: 59171

•Specifications:

•Length: Not recorded

•Beam: Not recorded

•Depth: Not recorded

•Tonnage: 124 (Old Style)

•Location of Loss: Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario, New York

•Date of Loss: July 31, 1882

•Depth: Unknown; wreck not definitively located

HISTORY

The Tip Top was a single-Deck wooden canalboat, designed for the transport of bulk goods through the narrow canals and waterways of 19th-century New York. Constructed in Phoenix, New York, the vessel primarily carried essential materials such as stone, coal, and lumber. It played a significant role in regional development during the industrialization era.

On July 31, 1882, the Tip Top departed Bundyville on the Oswego River, loaded with stone intended for harbor improvements in Oswego, New York. The four-man crew included John Richardson, Joseph Aker, Artemus Burchim, and Martin Herrick.

Upon arrival in Oswego, the vessel was taken in tow by the Tug Steve H. Lyons to navigate the rougher waters near the harbor. However, the convoy encountered rough seas near the Oswego lighthouse. As waves began rolling over the Tip Top, the crew attempted to prevent water from boarding the scow by using planks. Despite their efforts, the Hull failed catastrophically under the stress of the heavy cargo and rough conditions.

The Tip Top disintegrated, sending all four men into the cold waters of Lake Ontario. Tragically, Martin Herrick drowned, and his body was never recovered. The other three crew members were rescued by the Steve H. Lyons.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•Cause of Loss: Structural Hull failure under heavy cargo and rough conditions.

•Cargo: Stone, intended for Oswego harbor improvements.

•Outcome: Vessel disintegrated and sank rapidly.

•Casualties: 1 (Martin Herrick).

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Wreck Status: Missing; location has not been definitively identified.

•Accessibility: Not accessible to divers or researchers due to the unknown location.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Tip Top wreck site. The area around Oswego Harbor remains active for maritime traffic, but the wreck is uncharted and poses no known navigational hazards.

SIGNIFICANCE

The sinking of the Tip Top highlights the vulnerability of canalboats when exposed to the unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes. Designed for calmer inland waterways, vessels like the Tip Top were not equipped to withstand the open waters and sudden storms of Lake Ontario. The incident also underscores the human cost of maritime trade, as demonstrated by the tragic loss of Martin Herrick.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Explore Records

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed Information

•Great Lakes Ships Database: View Records

•C. Patrick Labadie Collection: Archival materials on Great Lakes maritime history.

KEYWORDS

Tip Top canalboat, Oswego Harbor shipwreck, Lake Ontario shipwreck, 1882 maritime disaster, Great Lakes canalboats, Martin Herrick drowning.

CONCLUSION

The Tip Top exemplifies the risks faced by 19th-century canalboats and their crews when venturing beyond the relative safety of inland waterways. While the vessel’s precise wreck site remains a mystery, its story serves as a testament to the perseverance and sacrifices of those who contributed to the region’s development through maritime commerce.