Identification & Site Information

• • Name: Powhattan
• • Type: Wooden Schooner
• • Date Built: Unknown (mid-19th century, exact year unconfirmed)
• • Incident Date: 1873
• • Location: Lake Ontario
• • Cause of Loss: Storm
• • Final Disposition: Sunk; Total Loss

Vessel Type

The Powhattan was a wooden Schooner, a popular type of vessel used in the mid-19th century for transporting bulk cargo across the Great Lakes. Wooden schooners were versatile and robust ships commonly employed in the booming commercial trade of coal, lumber, grain, and other goods.

Historical Background

The Powhattan was a part of the busy shipping network on the Great Lakes during the mid-1800s. By 1873, maritime transportation on Lake Ontario was fraught with challenges, as sudden and violent storms could quickly turn voyages into perilous ordeals. Wooden vessels, while durable, were often at the mercy of such extreme weather conditions.

The Final Voyage

In 1873, while navigating the treacherous waters of Lake Ontario, the Powhattan encountered a violent storm. The gale likely brought fierce winds and towering waves, overwhelming the vessel. Despite the crew’s efforts to weather the storm, the Powhattan succumbed to the lake’s fury, sinking beneath the surface.

Unfortunately, historical records regarding the precise location, cargo, and crew fate remain scarce. Reports from this period frequently mention ship losses on the lakes, but due to limited technological capabilities, searches for sunken vessels were rarely successful, and recovery efforts were minimal.

Final Disposition

The Powhattan sank in Lake Ontario and was declared a Total Loss. The exact location of the wreck remains unknown, as records provide limited information about its final resting place.

Legacy

The sinking of the Powhattan serves as another reminder of the perilous conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. The mid-19th century witnessed a surge in maritime traffic, driven by industrial and commercial demands. However, the unpredictable and often unforgiving waters of Lake Ontario claimed countless ships like the Powhattan.

Efforts to locate wrecks from this era have been ongoing, with advanced sonar technology and underwater exploration programs conducted by organizations such as the Oswego Maritime Foundation and regional historical societies.

Resources & Links

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Great Lakes Shipwrecks Archive
• • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Historical records of 19th-century shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
• • Great Lakes Ships Database: Includes details of ship histories and incidents.
• • Lake Ontario Wreck Exploration Programs: Continued search and documentation of submerged cultural resources.
• Suggested Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Powhattan Schooner, 1873 Lake Ontario storm, Great Lakes shipwrecks, 19th-century maritime disasters.

Categories: Lake Ontario Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Losses, Great Lakes Maritime History.

If you’d like further details, such as specific search efforts for the wreck, similar Lake Ontario shipwrecks from 1873, or more precise locations, let me know! 🌊