Shipwreck Report: Alpha

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Alpha

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Year Built: 1861

•Builder: John Simpson, Oakville, Ontario

•Dimensions:

•Length: 116.4 feet (35.5 meters)

•Beam: 24 feet (7.3 meters)

•Depth: 11.3 feet (3.4 meters)

•Tonnage: 343 tons (old measurement)

•Capacity: 12,000 bushels

•Construction Material: Wood

•Masts: Two

•Initial Owner: W.K. Henderson & Colpoys, Hamilton, Ontario

•Final Location: Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario

•Date of Wreck: August 30, 1872

Vessel Type Description

The Alpha was a wooden two-masted Schooner designed for cargo transport, particularly bulk goods like grain. Its design was typical for mid-19th-century schooners, emphasizing a balance between cargo capacity and maneuverability. With a capacity of 12,000 bushels, the vessel played an essential role in the Great Lakes shipping economy.

History

The Alpha enjoyed a long operational career, marked by multiple ownership changes and eventual demise during a storm in 1872.

•Initial Service: Owned by W.K. Henderson & Colpoys in Hamilton, Ontario.

•Ownership Changes:

•1863: E.H. Farquer & Henry Packes, Woodstock, Ontario

•1865: A. Quackenbush, Port Dalhousie, Ontario

•1866: Norris & Neelon, Hamilton, Ontario

•1867: John Munro

•1868: Daniel Pace

•1872: Thomson & Smith & Son, Toronto, Ontario

The Alpha was integral to transporting goods along the Great Lakes, adapting to changing trade demands under various owners.

Final Voyage and Wreck

On August 30, 1872, the Alpha was caught in a severe gale near Oswego Harbor on Lake Ontario. Despite the crew’s efforts, the Schooner was driven ashore and wrecked. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued without loss of life.

The vessel, laden with cargo, was towed to Garden Island for repairs on September 8, 1872. Despite this effort, the Alpha’s future became uncertain. It was acquired by the Provincial Insurance Co. in 1873 and changed hands multiple times over the next five years:

•1873: Sold to A. McAdams, London, Ontario.

•1877: Transferred to Quebec under the ownership of Alexander Fraser.

The Alpha’s trail fades after its move to Quebec, leaving its ultimate fate a mystery.

Final Disposition

The Alpha was declared a Total Loss after its wreck in 1872. Efforts to salvage the vessel included towing it for repairs, but no records confirm its return to active service. Its transfer to Quebec in 1877 suggests it may have been re-purposed, but no further documentation exists.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck of the Alpha. Given its age and presumed salvage or deterioration, the wreck is unlikely to pose navigational hazards today.

Located By & Date

The Alpha was documented as wrecked in Oswego Harbor during the gale on August 30, 1872. The wreck’s exact location was noted historically, but no remains are believed to exist at the site today.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Alpha’s current condition is unknown. The Schooner was likely salvaged, dismantled, or Abandoned after its wreck. No remnants are known to be accessible, making it more of a historical note than a dive site.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Analysis

The Alpha represents a typical Schooner of its era, integral to the commerce of the Great Lakes. Its operational history, ownership changes, and eventual wreck at Oswego Harbor highlight the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners. While its ultimate fate remains a mystery, the Alpha’s story adds to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history, exemplifying the risks of sailing in unpredictable conditions and the resilience of those who navigated these inland seas.

Keywords

Alpha, Schooner, Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario, Shipwreck, Great Lakes, Maritime History, 19th Century Vessels