Shipwreck Report: Schooner Ainsworth

Identification & Site Information

•Name: Ainsworth

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1835

•Builder: Cape Vincent, New York

•Tonnage: 110 tons

•Final Disposition: Wrecked near Fort Ontario, Oswego, New York

•Date of Wreck: November 20, 1846

•Cause of Wreck: Severe gale, dismasting, and grounding on rocks

•Coordinates: Near the west pier of Oswego Harbor (exact coordinates not documented)

•Cargo: Salt, destined for Cleveland, Ohio

Vessel Type Description

The Ainsworth was a wooden Schooner, a quintessential vessel for the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners like the Ainsworthwere valued for their ability to carry bulk cargoes such as salt, lumber, and general merchandise efficiently across the Great Lakes. At 110 tons, the Ainsworth was a medium-sized Schooner, built for durability and reliability in the often harsh conditions of Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways.

History

Built in 1835 at Cape Vincent, New York, the Ainsworth served the bustling trade routes of Lake Ontario for over a decade. It transported goods crucial to the regional economy, connecting ports and facilitating commerce in the Great Lakes.

The Storm of November 20, 1846

On its final voyage, the Ainsworth was moored in Oswego Harbor, loaded with salt bound for Cleveland, Ohio. A sudden and fierce gale originating from the northwest swept across Lake Ontario, transforming the harbor into a violent maelstrom.

The storm’s power quickly overwhelmed the Ainsworth. The gale tore the vessel’s masts away, rendering it defenseless. Waves battered the Schooner, and it was driven onto its beam ends, ultimately grounding on the rocks at the base of Fort Ontario. The Schooner was completely wrecked, its cargo lost to the lake, and the vessel declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Ainsworth marked the end of its 11-year career. Driven ashore by the storm and reduced to wreckage, the Schooner and its cargo of salt were lost. While the ship’s remains may have settled in the shallow waters near Oswego, the exact location has not been documented.

Legacy and Impact

The Ainsworth’s loss, along with the wreck of the Canadian Schooner Grampus, underscored the inherent risks of navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during late autumn when storms are most severe. Fortunately, the crews of both vessels were rescued without loss of life, thanks to the efforts of the Revenue Cutter Service, which deployed a Yawl-boat to save the stranded sailors.

The Ainsworth was widely reported in contemporary newspapers, including the Kingston Argus, which detailed the storm’s devastation and the Schooner’s final moments. The event highlighted the bravery of rescue crews and the unpredictable challenges of Great Lakes navigation.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Kingston Argus, November 1846

Keywords

#AinsworthSchooner #LakeOntarioShipwrecks #FortOntarioWrecks #19thCenturyShipping #OswegoHarbor #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #SaltCargoShipwreck

Conclusion

The Ainsworth’s wreck near Fort Ontario is a testament to the unforgiving conditions faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Despite its robust construction and years of reliable service, the Schooner succumbed to the violent storm of November 1846. Thanks to the heroic efforts of the Revenue Cutter Service, the lives of the Ainsworth’s crew were spared, preserving their stories of resilience and survival. Today, the Ainsworth serves as a poignant chapter in the rich maritime history of Lake Ontario.