Shipwreck Report: Onnalinda (Skaneateles Lake, New York)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Onnalinda
• Other Names: None
• Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamboat (Excursion & Passenger Vessel)
• Built: 1883, Skaneateles, New York
• Home Port: Skaneateles, New York
• Primary Use: Passenger and tourism service on Skaneateles Lake
• Specifications Construction: Wooden Hull  Length: 85 feet (25.9 meters)
• Propulsion: Steam-powered sidewheel paddleboat

Operational History

The Onnalinda was one of the most famous steamboats on Skaneateles Lake, operating as an excursion and passenger vessel in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was part of a fleet of local steamers that provided transportation, sightseeing cruises, and cargo services along the 16-mile-long Finger Lake.

Key Roles & Service

Carried passengers between Skaneateles village and various lakefront properties.

Offered scenic lake excursions for tourists visiting the region.

Connected summer homes and resorts along the shoreline before automobiles became common.

Notable Events

The Onnalinda was known for its regular sightseeing cruises and chartered trips for special events. It was one of the last sidewheelers to operate on Skaneateles Lake before being replaced by more modern vessels.

Final Disposition and Fate

• Date of Loss: Sometime in the early 1900s (exact year uncertain)
• Location: Skaneateles Lake, New York
• Cause: Intentionally scuttled (scuttling was a common practice for retired wooden steamers)
• Loss of Life: None recorded

Incident Details

As steam-powered vessels were replaced by gasoline and diesel-powered boats, the Onnalinda was retired and scuttled in Skaneateles Lake.  Some sources suggest it was intentionally sunk near the north end of the lake, though exact wreck location remains uncertain.

Legacy and Significance

Iconic Passenger Steamer of Skaneateles Lake The Onnalinda was one of the most beloved steamboats to serve Skaneateles Lake, helping define the region’s early tourism industry.

Part of a Larger Steamboat Era  In the late 1800s and early 1900s, multiple steamboats like the Onnalinda, City of Syracuse, and Ossahinta carried passengers across the lake. As automobiles and roads improved, these steamers were gradually retired.

Possible Wreck Site and Future Discoveries The Onnalinda is believed to remain at the bottom of Skaneateles Lake, making it a potentially significant shipwreck site. The cold, clear waters of Skaneateles may have preserved parts of the Hull and machinery.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Unknown, but likely in Skaneateles Lake’s deeper waters
• Current Condition: If scuttled in deep water, parts of the Hull, boiler, and Paddlewheel assemblies may still exist. The cold, oxygen-rich waters could have helped preserve the wreck site.
• Potential for Discovery:
• Sonar and ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) exploration could help locate the wreck remains.
• Local divers and historians have shown interest in finding sunken vessels in Skaneateles Lake.

Further Research and Resources

• Skaneateles Historical Society https://www.skaneateleshistoricalsociety.org Maintains archives on steamboats like the Onnalinda.
• New York State Canal Corporation https://www.canals.ny.gov Holds records on historic lake and canal boats in New York.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society Documents shipwreck discoveries in New York waters.
• Local Dive Groups & Underwater Archaeology Efforts here have been recent efforts to map shipwrecks in Skaneateles Lake using sonar and ROVs.
• Wikipedia – Auburn and Syracuse Electric Railroad Skaneateles Lake Genova
• Syracuse.com – Article
• WordPress – Blog on Skaneateles

Conclusion

The Onnalinda (1883–early 1900s) was a historic sidewheel Steamboat that shaped tourism and travel on Skaneateles Lake. Likely scuttled after retirement, its exact wreck location remains unknown, but it could still lie intact beneath the lake’s cold waters. The Steamboat era of Skaneateles Lake remains a fascinating chapter of New York’s maritime history, and future discoveries may provide new insights into these lost vessels.