Identification & Site Information

•Name: Orient

•Type: Schooner

•Year Built: 1870

•Builder: Parsons & Humble, Tonawanda, New York

•Tonnage: 319 tons

•Lost: October 4, 1876, with a final wreck on October 23, 1876

•Final Location: Near Stoney Point light, approximately one mile south of Stoney Point, Lake Ontario, New York

Vessel Type Description

The Orient was a wooden Schooner, a common vessel type in the 19th century Great Lakes trade. Designed for cargo transport, schooners like the Orient were valued for their speed and adaptability in the challenging conditions of the lakes. Built by Parsons & Humble in 1870, the Orient’s 319-ton capacity made it well-suited for transporting substantial cargo across the region’s busy waterways.

History

The Orient was owned by Faulkner & Best, likely based in Oswego or Dexter, New York. The Schooner played a vital role in the thriving maritime trade of Lake Ontario, connecting key ports and delivering goods across the region.

Initial Incident: October 4, 1876

On October 4, 1876, while carrying wrecking pumps and a light load from Sackett’s Harbor to Oswego, the Orient encountered a violent storm near Stoney Point, about three miles above Dexter, New York. The storm’s intensity caused the vessel to capsize during the night, washing ashore upside-down. Despite the vessel’s destruction, there were no reported fatalities, suggesting that the crew likely escaped before the Schooner overturned.

The overturned wreck was subsequently raised by the Tug MOREY, with plans to tow it to Oswego for repairs.

Final Demise: October 23, 1876

While under tow to Oswego, another storm struck, dooming the salvage effort. The Orient was discovered capsized and completely broken up on October 23, 1876, approximately one mile south of Stoney Point. This marked the final loss of the Schooner.

Final Disposition

The Orient met a Total Loss after breaking apart in the storm on October 23, 1876. The vessel’s wreckage, scattered in the shallow waters south of Stoney Point, represents the end of its six-year service on the Great Lakes. The events surrounding the Orient’s loss highlight the dangers of fall storms on the Great Lakes and the perilous nature of 19th-century maritime navigation.

Significance of the Site

The Orient represents the resilience and risks inherent to Great Lakes schooners and their crews. Its loss underscores the volatility of the lakes, particularly during the fall storm season. The vessel’s final resting place near Stoney Point serves as a historical marker of the challenges faced by schooners and the maritime trade during this period.

Future Exploration and Preservation

While the wreck site of the Orient has not been extensively documented in modern times, it holds potential for archaeological and historical study. If located, the site could offer valuable insights into:

•The design and construction of mid-sized schooners in the late 19th century.

•The operational challenges and hazards of Great Lakes shipping during this era.

Efforts to explore and preserve the site should prioritize documenting the wreckage, safeguarding any artifacts, and preventing unauthorized disturbances.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A repository for detailed narratives and shipwreck records.

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society: An organization focusing on the exploration and protection of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive data on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the Orient.

Keywords

Orient, Schooner, Stoney Point, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Parsons & Humble, Great Lakes Maritime History, Fall Storms, 19th-Century Schooners, Great Lakes Preservation.

Conclusion

The story of the Orient highlights the perilous conditions faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. From its initial capsizing during a violent storm to its ultimate destruction while under tow, the Orient’s fate exemplifies the dangers of fall storms and the limitations of salvage operations of the time. While its precise wreck site remains undocumented, the Orient remains an enduring symbol of the resilience and risks of Great Lakes maritime life.