Identification & Site Information

•Name: Orcadian

•Other Names: None

•Vessel Type: Brig

•Year of Build: 1854

•Builder: C. Richard, St. Ours, Quebec

•Dimensions:

•Length: 94 feet (28.65 meters)

•Beam: 20 feet (6.10 meters)

•Depth: 9 feet (2.74 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 147 tons (133 metric tons)

•Location: Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario

•GPS Coordinates: N 44° 13.59.2’ W 76° 12.08.9’

•Deaths: None reported

Vessel Type Description

The Orcadian was a two-masted wooden Brig, a square-rigged sailing vessel optimized for cargo transport. Built in 1854, this vessel was designed for the bustling grain trade that connected Canada and the United States across the Great Lakes. Its robust design, combined with its efficient rigging, made it a vital part of mid-19th-century commercial shipping in the region.

History

The Orcadian served as a key player in the transportation of bulk goods, including grain and lumber, between ports in Canada and the United States. Owned by Rae & Bros. of Hamilton, Ontario, the Brig was a symbol of the thriving trade on the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage

On May 8, 1858, the Orcadian departed from Bayfield, Ontario, carrying 8,200 bushels of wheat, bound for Oswego, New York. As it approached Little Sodus Bay, it collided with the Schooner Lucy J. Latham. The collision caused severe entanglement of the vessels’ rigging, and the Orcadian began taking on water. Despite efforts to pump out the water, the Brig sank rapidly.

Rescue

Captain James Corrigal and the crew escaped without injury. The survival of all aboard was a fortunate outcome in an era when shipwrecks often resulted in loss of life.

Impact

The sinking of the Orcadian illustrates the navigational hazards and crowded shipping lanes of the time. Even well-built and well-maintained vessels were vulnerable to accidents in the unpredictable and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

•Date of Sinking: May 8, 1858

•Cause: Collision with the Schooner Lucy J. Latham

•Cargo Lost: 8,200 bushels of wheat

•Wreck Status: Presumed lost. The remains of the Orcadian have not been definitively located.

Located By & Date

•Located by: Not yet discovered.

•Date of Discovery: Not applicable.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or current navigational advisories related to the wreck. The site is not marked on modern charts, as the exact location remains undocumented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Orcadian’s condition is unknown, as the wreck has not been definitively identified. Its presumed location near Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, remains unverified, and the wreck is currently inaccessible to divers and researchers.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

The Orcadian exemplifies the challenges and risks of mid-19th-century maritime trade on the Great Lakes. The Brig’s tragic loss highlights the vulnerability of even well-constructed vessels to collisions in the crowded shipping lanes of the time. While its wreck has not been located, the Orcadian remains a symbol of the bustling trade era and serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by those who sailed the Great Lakes.

Keywords

•Orcadian

•Brig

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck

•1858 Shipwreck

•Great Lakes Maritime History

•Wooden Brig

•Grain Trade

•Collision at Sea

•Lucy J. Latham

The Orcadian’s story is a valuable chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario, shedding light on the economic importance of the Great Lakes and the perils of navigation in a bygone era.