Shipwreck Report: Schooner Alliance

Identification & Site Information

•Name: Alliance

•Type: Wooden Schooner

•Built: 1856 by John Simpson

•Location of Build: Oakville, Ontario

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Tonnage: 180 tons (263 tons in old-style measurement)

•Official Number: Not specified (C is indicated in historical records)

•Final Location: Oswego Harbor, New York, Lake Ontario

•Date of Wreck: December 2, 1863

Vessel Type Description

The Alliance was a traditional wooden Schooner, a common type of cargo vessel used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the Alliance were integral to regional commerce, transporting bulk goods such as feed and flour between ports. Built in 1856 in Oakville, Ontario, the Alliance was owned and operated by Captain Sidney Hamilton, who commissioned the vessel for use in trade routes centered around Toronto.

History

The Alliance had a notable career serving as a cargo carrier on the Great Lakes. Under the command of Captain Sidney Hamilton, the Schooner primarily operated out of Toronto, connecting various ports across Lake Ontario. On its final voyage in December 1863, the vessel was transporting a load of feed and flour from Port Credit, Ontario, to Oswego, New York.

The Final Voyage

On December 2, 1863, while entering Oswego Harbor under tow by a Tugboat, the Alliance encountered a sudden and powerful gust of wind. The force of the gale caused the Towline to part, leaving the Schooner adrift. With its sails furled, the vessel was unable to regain control and was driven ashore near the fort at Oswego Harbor. The Alliance struck rocks, rendering it a Total Loss.

The eight crew members aboard the Schooner escaped unharmed, thanks to a rescue line sent from the shore. The cargo of feed and flour, as well as the vessel itself, were insured but deemed irretrievable.

The wreck of the Alliance was a significant loss for its owner, Captain Hamilton, who had built and operated the Schooner for seven years. Reports from the time, including articles in the Oswego Daily Palladium and Buffalo Morning Express, detailed the event and listed it among the maritime casualties of 1863.

Final Disposition

The Alliance was declared a Total Loss following the storm. The vessel was irreparably damaged on the rocks near Oswego Harbor, and the cargo was also lost. Salvage attempts were not reported, and the Schooner was considered beyond recovery.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no record of significant remains of the Alliance at the wreck site. Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the high-energy environment of the harbor, it is likely that the wreckage has deteriorated over time or been removed. The site near Oswego Harbor holds historical interest but is not noted as a prominent dive location.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, January 20, 1864

•Oswego Daily Palladium, December 2, 1863

•Buffalo Daily Courier, December 3, 1863

•Buffalo Morning Express, December 4, 1863

Keywords

#AllianceSchooner #LakeOntarioShipwreck #OswegoHarbor #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #19thCenturyShipping #SchoonerWreck #CaptainSidneyHamilton

Conclusion

The loss of the Alliance highlights the challenges faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite the skill of its captain and crew, the sudden storm and failed tow left the vessel vulnerable to Lake Ontario’s harsh conditions. The Alliance’s story is a poignant reminder of the hazards of maritime trade during this period and the resilience of those who navigated these waters.