Identification & Site Information

• Name: Ellswerth
• Former Names: None recorded
• Registration Number(s): Not documented
• Date Built and Launched: 1869, on Seneca Lake, New York
• Measurements: Not available but typical of a small sailing-to-steam converted vessel of the period
• Date Lost, Destroyed, or Abandoned: 1870, due to fire
• Location: Off Stony Island, New York, St. Lawrence River region
• Depth: Approximately 21 ft (6.4 m)

Vessel Type

The Ellsworth was originally built as a sailing vessel in 1869, but it was converted into a steam vessel in 1870. This transition reflects a broader trend during the era when many sailing ships were retrofitted with steam power to remain competitive in commercial and recreational markets.

Description

The Ellsworth was on a 10-day leisure cruise exploring the islands at the head of the St. Lawrence River. While anchored off Stony Island, a fire broke out in the kitchen, rapidly spreading and causing the vessel to burn to the waterline. The remains of the vessel now rest at a depth of 21 feet (6.4 m), making it a shallow and accessible site for divers.

Structural features reported at the site include charred remains of the wooden Hull and potential remnants of its steam engine. While the fire destroyed much of the upper structure, the underwater environment has preserved portions of the lower Hull.

History

The Ellsworth’s brief history represents a transitional period in maritime technology. Built as a sailing vessel, she was quickly converted to steam power, likely to take advantage of the growing trend toward more reliable and versatile propulsion systems.

Her loss during a leisure cruise underscores the hazards of early steam technology, where poorly controlled fires and lack of effective firefighting measures frequently led to devastating outcomes. The Ellsworth’s sinking marked the abrupt end of her service life, making her one of the many vessels lost in the busy waters of the St. Lawrence region.

Final Dispositions

The Ellsworth burned to the waterline, and the remains sank to the bottom off Stony Island. Her shallow resting depth of 21 feet (6.4 m)makes her accessible to divers and snorkelers. The wreck is a testament to the risks faced by vessels transitioning from sail to steam.

Located By & Date Found

• Discoverers: Likely known to local divers and maritime historians for decades

• Discovery Date: Exact date of discovery not recorded

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Hazards: The wreck lies in shallow water, but divers should exercise caution around any exposed sharp or jagged wreckage.

• Preservation: Divers should avoid disturbing or removing any materials to protect the site for historical and educational purposes.

Resources & Links

• Additional details about shipwrecks: Sonar Guy
• Maritime history records: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

3D Model www.sonarguy.com

The S.S. Ellswerth – Lake Ontario by Capt. Tim Caza on Sketchfab

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: Ellsworth, Stony Island shipwreck, St. Lawrence River wrecks, steam vessel Conversion, 19th-century shipwreck

• Categories: Shipwreck Archaeology, Great Lakes Maritime History, Early Steam Vessels

• Glossary Terms:

• Steam Vessel: A ship powered by steam engines, often retrofitted from sailing vessels in the 19th century.

• Waterline Burn: A condition where a ship’s upper structures are destroyed by fire, leaving the lower Hull intact.

• Stony Island: A location in the St. Lawrence River near the Thousand Islands region, popular for shipwreck exploration.