Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Boston

•Official Number: Not documented

•Type: Wooden-hulled propeller-driven vessel

•Tonnage: 259 5/95 tons

•Length: 130 feet (40 meters)

•Beam: Not documented

•Depth: Not documented

•Construction: Wooden Hull, two decks, single Screw Propulsion, one mast

•Year Built: Not specifically documented; in service by at least 1847

•Builder: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

•Owner(s): Varied, including Chamberlain, Crawford, and later Ogdensburg Railroad Co.

•Final Location: Off Oak Orchard, Lake Ontario, USA

•Depth of Wreck: Approximately 180 feet (55 meters)

•Date of Wreck: July 28, 1854

Vessel Type Description

The Boston was a propeller-driven vessel with a wooden Hull, designed for dual roles in passenger and freight transport. It featured a two-Deck layout, a single Screw Propulsion system, and one mast. With a cargo capacity of 12,000 bushels, the Boston was critical for the transport of goods like flour, pork, wheat, and corn across the Great Lakes. The design reflects the evolving maritime technology of the mid-19th century, blending practicality with versatility for Great Lakes navigation.

History

Operational Life:

The Boston served as a key component of the maritime trade network on the Great Lakes. Between 1847 and 1852, the vessel was actively enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, operating routes between Buffalo and Chicago and along the Erie Canal under the Griffiths Western Line. Ownership shifted over the years, ultimately passing to the Ogdensburg Railroad Co., reflecting its continued utility in commerce.

Collision and Loss:

On July 28, 1854, while loaded with cargo, the Boston collided with an unknown Schooner off Oak Orchard in Lake Ontario. The impact was catastrophic, causing the vessel to sink rapidly. Miraculously, all 25 individuals aboard—including passengers and crew—survived by escaping in an open boat. After nearly 24 hours adrift, they reached the safety of the Genesee River.

At the time of its loss, the Boston carried a full cargo of flour, pork, wheat, and corn, with damages estimated at $35,000—a significant economic blow in the mid-19th century. Reports from the time detail the swiftness of the vessel’s descent and the fortunate survival of all on board. However, the exact circumstances of the collision remain undocumented, leaving questions about navigation conditions and responsibility unanswered.

Final Disposition

The Boston was completely lost following the collision. It sank in approximately 180 feet (55 meters) of water in Lake Ontario, near Oak Orchard. The precise location has not been definitively established, and modern exploration or documentation of the wreck is lacking.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck. However, the event serves as a historical warning about the dangers of navigation in the busy trade routes of the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Boston is presumed to remain largely intact due to the cold, fresh waters of Lake Ontario, which preserve wooden hulls. While located at a depth of 180 feet, making it accessible only to experienced technical divers, the site has not been extensively explored or documented. Artifacts and structural elements, if present, may provide insights into mid-19th-century vessel construction and trade practices.

Historical Significance

The sinking of the Boston is emblematic of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Its survival story underscores the bravery and resilience of its crew and passengers, while the economic loss highlights the importance of these vessels to regional commerce.

The Boston’s loss illustrates the precarious balance between advancing maritime technology and the persistent risks of collision, severe weather, and human error in the crowded trade routes of the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•C. Patrick Labadie Great Lakes Ships Database

•Buffalo Daily Courier (Various reports, August 1854)

•Toronto Globe (Reports on the wreck, August 15, 1854)

•Early American Steamers by Erik Heyl

•Lytle-Holdcamper Merchant Steam Vessels Database

Keywords

•Boston

•Oak Orchard Shipwreck

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck

•Great Lakes Maritime History

•Wooden Propeller Vessel

•19th-Century Collision

•Ogdensburg Railroad Co.

•Great Lakes Trade Routes

The Boston is a poignant reminder of the perils of Great Lakes navigation in the mid-19th century and stands as an important chapter in maritime history, symbolizing both the promise of technological progress and the enduring power of nature.