Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Addie Membery

•Type: Wooden Schooner (also referred to as a sloop)

•Official Number: 106360

•Dimensions:

•Length: 59 feet (18 meters)

•Beam: 15 feet (4.6 meters)

•Depth: 6 feet (1.8 meters)

•Tonnage: Gross – 42.48 tons, Net – 40.36 tons

•Year Built: 1885

•Builder: Sacketts Harbor, New York, USA

•Owner: Barney Eveleigh, Sacketts Harbor, New York

•Location of Wreck: Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario, USA

•Date of Wreck: October 1885

Vessel Type Description

The Addie Membery was a small wooden Schooner built for cargo transport. Schooners like the Addie Membery were a common sight on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, designed for efficient navigation and transport of goods across the interconnected waterways. With two masts and a compact size, the Addie Membery was versatile, capable of serving smaller ports and managing cargo such as lumber, grain, and other commodities.

History

Constructed in Sacketts Harbor, New York, in 1885, the Addie Membery was a relatively new vessel at the time of its loss. Owned by Barney Eveleigh, the Schooner participated in the bustling maritime trade on Lake Ontario, carrying valuable cargoes to and from ports in Canada and the United States.

The Final Voyage and Wreck

In October 1885, the Addie Membery was transporting 100,000 feet of lumber from Brockville, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. The journey took a tragic turn as the Schooner approached Oswego Harbor amidst a fierce storm. High winds and rough waves made it nearly impossible for the vessel to safely navigate into the harbor.

As the Addie Membery neared the pier at the harbor entrance, it struck the structure with force, causing the vessel to lose control. Pushed by the storm’s relentless power, the Schooner was dashed against the old pier and quickly broke apart. The violent conditions left the vessel scattered across the harbor area.

Though the ship and its cargo were a Total Loss, the crew, including Captain John Bailey of Sacketts Harbor, miraculously survived the ordeal. The Addie Membery was uninsured, leaving its owner, Barney Eveleigh, to bear the financial blow. The Schooner, valued at $3,000, was a significant investment for its time.

Final Disposition

The Addie Membery was completely destroyed during the storm in October 1885. Its remains were scattered within Oswego Harbor and have not been definitively located by modern surveys. Any surviving fragments of the vessel are likely buried beneath sediment or lost to time.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Current Status: There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the wreck of the Addie Membery. The site is primarily of historical interest.

Located By & Date

•Discovery: The wreck has not been formally documented or identified in modern times. Historical records from October 1885 provide the main source of information about the incident.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The violent nature of the wreck and the dispersal of the vessel’s remains make it unlikely that substantial parts of the Addie Membery exist. The wreck’s location in Oswego Harbor remains undocumented, and any remnants would likely be inaccessible or heavily degraded.

Resources & Links

•Buffalo Daily Republic, October 30, 1885

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

•Great Lakes Ships Website: C. Patrick Labadie Collection

Conclusion

The tragic loss of the Addie Membery highlights the risks faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Though its service life was brief, the Schooner’s story is a poignant example of the challenges of maritime trade during this era. The wreck serves as a historical marker of the hazards encountered by vessels on Lake Ontario, especially during unpredictable autumn storms.

Keywords

#AddieMembery #OswegoHarbor #LakeOntarioShipwrecks #GreatLakesSchooners #MaritimeHistory #SackettsHarborShipbuilding #19thCenturyShipwrecks