CITY OF Oswego: A Tragic but Resilient Tale

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: City of Oswego

• Vessel Type: Propeller-Driven Freighter

• Year Built: 1852

• Builder: George S. Weeks, Buffalo, NY

• Dimensions:

• Length: 138 feet (42 meters)

• Beam (Width): 24.8 feet (7.6 meters)

• Depth: 11.2 feet (3.4 meters)

• Tonnage: 357 tons (old-style measurement)

• Construction Material: Wood

• Number of Decks: Two

• Engine: single-cylinder with a single boiler

• Owner: Dwight C. Bancroft, Oswego, NY

• Final Disposition: Collided and sank off Chagrin River, Ohio, July 11, 1852; later raised and sold to Canada.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Oswego was a single-masted, propeller-driven wooden vessel, a hallmark of mid-19th century engineering designed for efficient freight and passenger transportation across the Great Lakes. Featuring a two-Deck design, it exemplified the transition from sail to steam, combining traditional shipbuilding craftsmanship with the innovative propulsion technologies of the time.

HISTORY

The City of Oswego was launched in 1852 from Buffalo, NY, under the ownership of Dwight C. Bancroft of Oswego, NY. It symbolized progress and economic ambition, aiming to serve growing trade and passenger demands on the Great Lakes.

Tragedy struck early in the vessel’s career. On July 11, 1852, while navigating the waters off Chagrin River, Ohio, the City of Oswegocollided with the Steamer America. The impact was catastrophic, causing the vessel to sink rapidly. Sadly, the accident claimed the lives of 15 to 16 individuals, marking one of the early tragedies in Great Lakes maritime history.

Despite the significant loss, the City of Oswego was raised from the lakebed on July 31, 1852, demonstrating the determination and resourcefulness of her era. Purchased by Gay et al., a group of investors from Milan, OH, the vessel was given a new lease on life. Its subsequent sale to Canada added a chapter to its already storied history, though details of its service under Canadian ownership remain scarce.

FINAL DISPOSITION

After its resurrection in 1852, the City of Oswego transitioned to Canadian waters. Its ultimate fate is not well-documented, leaving maritime historians to ponder whether it met a quiet end through decommissioning or another dramatic event. Regardless, its brief yet impactful existence underscores the peril and promise of early Great Lakes shipping.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories pertain to the wreck site of the City of Oswego, as the vessel was raised shortly after its sinking in 1852. Its final operational records lie primarily with Canadian archives following its sale.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Maritime History: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck File

• Bowling Green State University Archives: BGSU Archives

CONCLUSION

The story of the City of Oswego reflects the risks and resilience of Great Lakes shipping in the mid-19th century. Its brief operational history, marked by a tragic collision and a subsequent resurrection, underscores the dual themes of human ingenuity and the ever-present dangers of early maritime travel. Though its final fate remains elusive, the City of Oswego holds a lasting place in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history as a symbol of innovation, tragedy, and renewal.

Keywords: City of Oswego, Great Lakes maritime history, Chagrin River, Lake Erie shipwreck, Dwight C. Bancroft, 19th-century propeller vessel, collision with America.