Willard Johnson & Turner – Oswego, New York

Willard Johnson & Turner was a shipping firm based in Oswego, New York, during the mid-19th century. The company owned the schooner STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, which was constructed in 1859 at Sackett’s Harbor, New York. This vessel met its demise on November 3, 1862, sinking west of the Manitou Islands in Lake Michigan after a failed salvage operation. The schooner was under the command of Captain Vickery at the time of its loss.  

While specific details about the individual partners of Willard Johnson & Turner are limited, historical records indicate that a Willard Johnson was active in Oswego’s civic affairs during this period. He played a significant role in municipal financial matters, notably assisting in the refinancing of the town’s debt—a move that proved highly beneficial to local taxpayers.  

The maritime industry was a cornerstone of Oswego’s economy in the 19th century, with numerous firms like Willard Johnson & Turner contributing to the bustling Great Lakes trade. These enterprises were instrumental in facilitating commerce and transportation across the region, underscoring Oswego’s importance as a port city during that era.

Vessels associated with

• Stephen A. Douglas was a wooden schooner constructed in 1859 by shipbuilder Ellinwood at Sackett’s Harbor, New York. With a tonnage of 360 tons (old measurement), the vessel was designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes