Identification & Site Information

• Name: Alma
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 1086
• Date Built and Launched: [Date unknown, likely mid-19th century]
• Builder: [Unknown, possibly built in Oswego, NY]
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 2-Masted
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:
• Tonnage: 61 tons
• Date Lost: 1877
• Place of Loss: Near Port Hope, Ontario
• Lake: Lake Ontario
• Type of Loss: Unknown (possibly storm-related)
• Loss of Life: Not specified
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

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Vessel Type:
A two-masted wooden Schooner, Alma was typical of the small to medium-sized cargo vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the mid to late 19th century. Such schooners were versatile, used for transporting a wide range of bulk goods, including grain, coal, timber, and general freight.

Description:
The U.S.-registered Alma, bearing Official Number 1086, was a 61-ton Schooner hailing from Oswego, New York. Oswego, situated on the southeastern shore of Lake Ontario, was a prominent port city during the 19th century, serving as a key hub for grain and timber exports, as well as other bulk goods transported via the Oswego Canal and the Erie Canal.

Given her modest tonnage, the Alma was likely engaged in short to medium-haul routes across Lake Ontario, connecting ports such as Oswego, Rochester, Toronto, and Kingston. Schooners of this size were economical to operate, requiring small crews and capable of navigating both large lakes and smaller inland waterways.

History:
While detailed records of the Alma‘s operational history are limited, vessels of her type played an essential role in the regional trade networks of Lake Ontario. Schooners were favored for their cost-effective transport, particularly for grain, coal, and timber—commodities vital to the economic development of both New York State and Ontario.

Final Voyage and Loss:
In 1877, the Alma was reported lost near Port Hope, Ontario, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The specific circumstances of the loss are not documented, but the region is known for its sudden storms and treacherous weather, particularly during the late shipping season in autumn.

It is unclear whether the loss of the Alma resulted in casualties or if any part of the vessel was salvaged. Given the period, detailed records of smaller schooners and their wrecks were often sparse unless a significant loss of life or valuable cargo was involved.

Possible Confusion with Other Vessels:
There is potential confusion between this U.S.-registered Alma and the Canadian Schooner Alma (built in 1855 in Sarnia, Ontario), which was lost in 1866 mid-lake on Lake Ontario. While the Canadian Alma was a larger vessel (211 tons), the similarity in names and the geographic proximity of their losses may have led to conflated reports in some historical records.

Final Disposition:
The Alma was declared a Total Loss near Port Hope, Ontario. There are no records of recovery or salvage efforts, and the wreck site remains undiscovered.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no confirmed modern discovery of the U.S.-registered Alma‘s wreck near Port Hope. The area contains several unidentified wrecks, and the Alma may be among them.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No specific navigational hazards related to the Alma have been reported near Port Hope, but Lake Ontario remains challenging due to its sudden storms and shoals.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Ontario Shipwrecks Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The U.S.-registered Alma represents the numerous small schooners that were the lifeblood of regional commerce on Lake Ontario in the 19th century. Operating out of Oswego, New York, she contributed to the bustling trade routes that connected American and Canadian ports across the lake. Her loss near Port Hope in 1877 remains shrouded in mystery, emblematic of the many vessels that quietly disappeared into the Great Lakes, leaving only sparse records of their service and fate.

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Keywords: Alma, Oswego Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Port Hope, Grain Trade, Great Lakes Maritime History
Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Ontario Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Incidents
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Foundered, Total Loss, Grain Cargo, Two-Masted Vessel