Shipwreck Report: Schooner ATLAS

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Atlas

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Official Number: Not documented

• Tonnage: 27 tons (old style)

• Length: Not documented

• Beam: Not documented

• Depth: Not documented

• Year Built: 1838

• Builder: Dexter, New York

• Owner: Ortha Little & Son, Dexter, New York

• Location of Wreck: Approximately 6 miles northwest of Oswego, New York, USA

• Depth of Wreck: Not documented

• GPS Coordinates: Not available

• Date of Wreck: May 4, 1839

Vessel Type Description

The Atlas was a small wooden Schooner built for transporting cargo on the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Ontario. With a single Deck and two masts, the Schooner was well-suited for its trade, navigating the challenging inland waterways. Its design, featuring a wooden Hull and simple rigging, reflected the shipbuilding trends of its era. With a modest tonnage of 27, it was primarily used for short hauls, including cargo such as limestone and other regional commodities.

History

Launched in 1838, the Atlas was built by skilled shipbuilders in Dexter, New York. The Schooner was registered in Sackets Harbor and operated under the ownership of Ortha Little & Son, a prominent shipping family in the region. The vessel made regular voyages between key Lake Ontario ports, including Chaumont and Oswego.

On May 4, 1839, tragedy struck. While transporting limestone, the Atlas encountered a violent northwest gale. Buffeted by strong winds and towering waves, the Schooner struggled to maintain course. It is believed that the cargo shifted during the storm, destabilizing the vessel and hastening its sinking.

The Schooner went down rapidly approximately six miles northwest of Oswego. The Steamer Telegraph, arriving too late to intervene, found only debris, including a pair of oars and scattered clothing. The Atlas and its cargo were lost to the lake, along with the lives of its five crew members:

1. Ashel Westcott (26) – Sailor, Brownville, Jefferson County.

2. Ortha Little (48) – Co-owner of the Schooner, Hounsfield, Jefferson County.

3. William Ackerman (19) – Sailor, Brownville.

4. John See (18) – Sailor, origin unknown.

5. Asa Davis (30) – Owner of the limestone cargo, from Mexico, New York.

Final Disposition

The Atlas sank rapidly and was lost to Lake Ontario’s depths. Its final resting place, approximately six miles northwest of Oswego, has not been definitively located in modern times. It is presumed that the vessel’s wooden structure has largely decayed, leaving minimal remnants on the lakebed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently associated with the wreck of the Atlas.

• The wreck serves as a historical marker, highlighting the inherent dangers of early Great Lakes navigation.

Located By & Date

The Atlas wreck has not been officially located or documented by underwater exploration efforts. Historical accounts place the wreck near Oswego, but specific coordinates or survey data remain unavailable.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The presumed condition of the Atlas is one of significant decay, with the wooden Hull and other organic components likely deteriorated after more than 180 years underwater. The wreck is not an accessible site for diving or exploration, and any remnants would be challenging to locate without advanced surveying technology.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival records and enrollment data.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck-specific documentation.

• Historical Newspapers: Buffalo Commercial Advertiser archives (October 19, 1849, and January 3, 1850).

• Great Lakes Ships: Research collection on historical vessels.

Conclusion

The loss of the Atlas reflects the perils of early Great Lakes shipping. Despite its short operational life, the Schooner’s story sheds light on the lives and challenges of 19th-century mariners. The vessel’s fate, marked by a catastrophic storm and the loss of its crew, serves as a poignant chapter in the history of Lake Ontario’s maritime trade.

Keywords

#AtlasSchooner #LakeOntarioShipwreck #19thCenturyMaritimeHistory #GreatLakesShipwrecks #OswegoNY