Identification & Vessel Information:

• Name: UTICA
• Type: Steamboat
• Purpose: Tugboat and pleasure excursion vessel on the Genesee River and Lake Ontario
• Build info :  1849, Sacket’s Harbor, NY
• Tonnage:  (59 t.)
• Owner(s): Mr. Snow and associates

Vessel Type Description

The UTICA was a small, versatile Steamboat designed to meet the demands of both commercial and recreational waterway operations during the 19th century. Its primary roles included acting as a Tugboat to support growing commercial activities and organizing pleasure excursions, catering to the rising popularity of leisure travel on Lake Ontario and the Genesee River. This dual-purpose use highlights the economic strategies employed by vessel owners to maximize utility and profitability.

History

The Steamboat UTICA was acquired by Mr. Snow and associates for dual purposes: serving as a Tugboat and organizing pleasure excursions on the Genesee River and Lake Ontario. This acquisition reflects the 19th-century trend of utilizing versatile vessels to meet both commercial and recreational demands on the Great Lakes. Unfortunately, specific details about Mr. Snow and his associates, including their full names, backgrounds, and other maritime ventures, are not readily available in the provided sources. This lack of detailed information is common in historical records from that era, where documentation may be sparse or lost over time.

In what would be its final voyage, the UTICA departed Sackets Harbor, bound for the mouth of the Genesee River. However, the journey was fraught with challenges. As the vessel encountered a storm, the captain sought temporary shelter in Oswego to wait out the weather until daylight. Tragically, a navigational error that night sealed the vessel’s fate.

Believing the Port Ontario Light to be the Oswego Light, the captain misjudged the vessel’s position, steering toward what he thought was Oswego Harbor. Instead, the UTICA was headed for the entrance to Port Ontario, located approximately 20 miles east of its intended destination.

The error resulted in the UTICA running aground near Port Ontario. The grounding was so severe that the Steamboat ended up nearly entirely out of the water, stranded on the shore. Despite early hopes of salvaging the vessel by removing machinery to refloat it, the extent of the damage proved insurmountable.

Final Disposition

The UTICA remained grounded near Port Ontario following the navigational error. Despite attempts to salvage the vessel, the efforts were unsuccessful, and the Steamboat was lost. The incident underscores the navigational difficulties faced by mariners on Lake Ontario during the 19th century, particularly in stormy conditions and with limited navigational technology.

Challenges of Navigation

The grounding of the UTICA serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Mariners relied heavily on visual identification of lighthouses and navigational aids, which could be easily misinterpreted during poor weather or at night. This incident highlights the critical importance of accurate maritime charts and detailed knowledge of navigational landmarks.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck Database: Comprehensive data on Great Lakes shipwrecks
• Great Lakes Now: In-depth coverage of Great Lakes maritime history and shipwrecks

Analysis

The grounding of the UTICA reflects the inherent dangers of maritime travel on the Great Lakes, especially in an era with limited technology to assist navigation. The vessel’s dual role as a Tugboat and pleasure craft showcases the versatility required of 19th-century steamboats to remain economically viable. The misidentification of navigational lights serves as a sobering reminder of how small errors could lead to significant consequences.

Conclusion

The story of the UTICA is a poignant chapter in the history of Great Lakes navigation, illustrating both the ingenuity of Steamboat design and the perilous nature of maritime travel. While the vessel’s grounding near Port Ontario marked the end of its service, it also serves as a valuable historical lesson on the importance of navigational accuracy and preparedness. The UTICA remains a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of those who traversed these waters during a challenging era.

Tags #UTICA Steamboat, #Great Lakes navigation, #Port Ontario grounding, #Lake Ontario shipwreck, #Genesee River #maritime history, #19th-century steamboats, #navigational challenges on the Great Lakes