IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: CAYUGA

• Type: Two-Masted Wooden Brig (Schooner)

• Construction: Wooden-hulled vessel

• Builder: Oswego, New York

• Year Built: 1841 (Rebuilt in Kenosha, Wisconsin, around 1846)

• Dimensions:

• Length: 70 feet (21.3 meters)

• Beam: 14 feet (4.3 meters)

• Depth: 6 feet (1.8 meters)

• Tonnage: Approximately 60 tons

• Final Resting Place: Gull Reef, off South Bay Point, Lake Ontario

• Coordinates: Not specifically recorded

• Depth: Exact depth unknown; likely shallow due to grounding on the reef

• Condition: Wrecked and stripped of valuable materials; declared a Total Loss

• Accessibility: Likely inaccessible or destroyed; location may be buried or lost to time

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CAYUGA was a wooden Brig, a type of two-masted sailing vessel optimized for both speed and cargo capacity. This configuration was commonly used on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century, making it a vital component of the region’s maritime commerce. Built in 1841 in Oswego, New York, the vessel was a reliable workhorse of its era, capable of enduring the challenging conditions of Lake Ontario while carrying goods such as wheat between key ports.

HISTORY

The CAYUGA was constructed in 1841 and served as an integral part of the bustling trade network on the Great Lakes. After a Rebuild in Kenosha, Wisconsin, around 1846, it continued its service, hauling bulk goods, including wheat, which was a staple export from the region.

On November 6, 1854, the CAYUGA embarked on what would become its final voyage. Laden with a cargo of wheat destined for Oswego, the vessel encountered a violent gale while traversing Lake Ontario. The ferocious storm pushed the Schooner onto Gull Reef, near South Bay Point. Despite the efforts of the crew and captain, the ship grounded and sustained catastrophic damage.

The captain heroically remained aboard the damaged vessel until he was rescued by the Steamer PASSPORT, while the crew escaped to safety in their boat. The event was widely reported in newspapers of the time, illustrating the peril faced by Great Lakes sailors during the unpredictable storm season.

FINAL DISPOSITION

After the wreck, efforts were made to recover the ship’s cargo. The propeller-driven COASTER, operating out of Oswego, managed to salvage part of the wheat cargo. However, the CAYUGA itself was declared a Total Loss, its wooden Hull irreparably damaged by the reef and the storm’s pounding waves.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the CAYUGA wreck. The site is not marked or identified as a navigational hazard, and its exact location remains uncharted.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The CAYUGA’s wreck was observed and reported immediately following the storm in November 1854. No modern recovery or exploration efforts have been recorded, and the exact site remains undetermined.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The condition of the wreck is presumed to be poor, with likely significant deterioration due to its wooden construction and the passage of time. Any remains are probably scattered or buried in the sediment of Gull Reef. The site is not considered accessible for diving or exploration.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Democracy Buffalo – November 11, 1854

• Buffalo Democracy – February 28, 1855 (casualty list)

• Toronto Globe – November 11, 1854

• Buffalo Daily Courier – November 10, 1854

• Port of Oswego Enrollment No. 26 of 1846

• The Democracy, Buffalo – Multiple reports between November 10–24, 1854

KEYWORDS

CAYUGA shipwreck, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Gull Reef wreck, Schooner wreck Lake Ontario, 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, Oswego-built Schooner, maritime history, shipwreck salvage, storm wreck Lake Ontario, Great Lakes maritime disasters.

CONCLUSION

The CAYUGA, built in 1841, represents a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes shipping. Its wreck near Gull Reef during a storm in 1854 underscores the harsh realities of navigating the Great Lakes, particularly for wooden vessels at the mercy of unpredictable weather. While the vessel’s remains are likely lost to time, the story of its service and ultimate loss continues to contribute to the rich maritime heritage of the region.