SYLPH – Shipwreck Information

• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood
• Built: 1841, Clayton, New York
• Specifications: Tonnage: 135 tons (135t)
• Date of Loss: April 1, 1855
• Place of Loss: At Oswego, New York
• Lake: Ontario
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Carrying: Light
• Owner at Time of Loss: H. Clark, Fulton, New York
• Vessel Type Schooner (Wooden-hulled)

Description

The Sylph was a wooden Schooner built in 1841 in Clayton, New York. Schooners were typically small to medium-sized vessels with two or more masts, designed for both cargo and passenger transport across the Great Lakes.

On April 1, 1855, the Sylph set out from Oswego, New York, bound for Port Credit, Ontario. However, due to a galeand heavy storms on Lake Ontario, the vessel was forced to turn back before reaching her destination. As the storm intensified, the Schooner struggled to return to the safety of Oswego Harbor.

While attempting to make it back, the Sylph struck the East Pier at the harbor and sank in shallow water. The vessel was pounded to pieces by the waves, ultimately being declared a Total Loss. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries, and the crew was able to escape. The vessel was owned by H. Clark, from Fulton, New York.

Final Dispositions

After the collision with the East Pier, the Sylph was subjected to heavy waves and was eventually broken up by the storm. Her remains were left in the shallow waters near the pier, where she was lost and dismantled by the pounding waves.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the Sylph was not reported to have been fully recovered or rediscovered in subsequent years, though it may still be located in the shallow waters near the East Pier of Oswego Harbor.

Notable Marks & Advisories

The incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by storms and shallow waters near harbor entrances. The East Pierof Oswego was likely an obstruction that contributed to the vessel’s demise.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Shipwrecks
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The Sylph was a wooden Schooner that met its tragic end on April 1, 1855, when it was struck by a storm while returning to Oswego after being turned back from its journey to Port Credit. Striking the East Pier and sinking in shallow waters, the vessel was destroyed by the storm, though no lives were lost. The Sylph’s wreck serves as a reminder of the perils that small cargo vessels faced on the unpredictable waters of Lake Ontario during the 19th century.