Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Stowell

• Type: Schooner

• Year Built: Before 1862 (exact year unknown)

• Owner: Amasa Stowell

• Construction: Wooden vessel with a single Deck

• Lost: October 1862

• Final Location: Near Sodus, New York, Lake Ontario

• Depth: Unknown (wreckage details are not documented)

• GPS Coordinates: Not provided

Vessel Type Description:

The Stowell was a wooden Schooner, representative of the vessels that played a critical role in 19th-century Great Lakes commerce. Schooners like the Stowell were primarily used for transporting bulk goods, such as coal and agricultural products, between ports. Their design was well-suited for navigating the often unpredictable and treacherous waters of the Great Lakes, though they were still vulnerable to adverse conditions.

History:

The Stowell was built before 1862 and named after its owner, Amasa Stowell. It was engaged in transporting goods across Lake Ontario, contributing to the regional economy. However, 1862 proved to be a disastrous year for the vessel.

• April 1862 Incident: The Stowell ran aground in Toronto, Ontario, while carrying a cargo of coal. Though not catastrophic, this grounding likely caused some structural damage, making the vessel more vulnerable to future incidents.

• October 1862 Loss: While transporting a cargo of wheat, the Schooner encountered severe conditions near Sodus, New York, leading to its sinking. The exact cause of the disaster is unclear, but it could have been due to adverse weather or navigational challenges, common risks on Lake Ontario.

The Stowell was declared a Total Loss, with its cargo and vessel irrecoverable.

Final Disposition:

The Stowell sank near Sodus, New York, in October 1862. While the precise circumstances remain unknown, the vessel and its wheat cargo were lost, and the wreck has not been located or documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

• Current Status: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck.

• Navigational Hazard: The long-deteriorated wreck poses no known hazard to modern navigation.

Located By & Date:

The wreck of the Stowell has not been discovered, and its exact location remains undocumented.

Resources & Links:

1. Great Lakes Ships Database: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes vessels.

2. David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival documentation of shipwrecks in the region.

3. Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

4. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Jan. 26, 1863: Casualty List, 1862.

Conclusion:

The Stowell is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its contributions to commerce underscore the vital role such vessels played in regional trade, but its loss near Sodus, New York, highlights the perils of maritime operations during that era. While its exact resting place remains a mystery, the Stowell’s story is preserved in historical records, a testament to the challenges of Great Lakes navigation.

Keywords:

• Stowell

• Great Lakes Shipwreck

• Lake Ontario Wreck

• 19th Century Maritime History

• Amasa Stowell

• Schooner

• Sodus, New York

Glossary:

• Schooner: A type of sailing vessel commonly used for freight transport on the Great Lakes, characterized by fore-and-aft rigged sails and multiple masts.

• Total Loss: A maritime term indicating that a vessel is completely destroyed or irrecoverable.