Shipwreck Report: GEORGE CLINTON

Identification & Site Information

• Name: GEORGE CLINTON

• Type: Sidewheel Steamer

• Construction: Wooden Hull

• Builder: J.D. Beaupre

• Year Built: 1841

• Location of Build: Oswego, New York

• Dimensions:

• Length: 95 feet (28.96 meters)

• Beam: 16 feet (4.88 meters)

• Depth: 7 feet (2.13 meters)

• Engine: One-cylinder powering sidewheels

• Ownership: Jabez N. Gilbert and L.B. Littlefield

• Home Port: Oswego, New York

• Location of Incident: Braddocks Bay, near Genesee, New York, Lake Ontario

• Date of Incident: September 13, 1851

• Condition: Total Loss; Hull shattered onshore

• Accessibility: Presumed scattered along the shore; site likely eroded or buried.

Vessel Type Description

The GEORGE CLINTON was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, an early example of powered maritime vessels. With modest dimensions and a one-cylinder engine, she represented a transitional period in Great Lakes navigation, where sail and steam coexisted. Her sidewheels, a hallmark of early steam technology, propelled her across Lake Ontario’s waters, catering to transportation and towing needs.

History

Constructed in 1841 by J.D. Beaupre of Oswego, New York, the GEORGE CLINTON served as a workhorse for her owners, Jabez N. Gilbert and L.B. Littlefield. Her operations were rooted in Oswego, where she became a familiar sight on Lake Ontario. The vessel’s compact size and sidewheel propulsion made her versatile for towing and freight transport, marking her as a valuable asset in the region’s maritime trade.

The year 1851 proved to be her last. On September 13, the GEORGE CLINTON set out towing two scows, navigating the waters of Lake Ontario as a tempest brewed on the horizon. As the storm unleashed its fury, she sought refuge in Braddocks Bay, near Genesee, New York. The crew’s desperate attempts to outmaneuver the storm were thwarted by the relentless waves and wind.

Tragically, her strength was insufficient to withstand the elements. The vessel was driven ashore, her Hull shattered beyond repair. The scows she towed met a similar fate, sinking in the chaos. Despite the catastrophic loss of the vessel, all crew members survived, a rare mercy in maritime disasters of the era.

The loss of the GEORGE CLINTON captured the attention of newspapers, her story resonating as a testament to the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes. Her demise was recounted in detail, emphasizing her valiant struggle against insurmountable odds.

Final Disposition

The GEORGE CLINTON was declared a Total Loss after the storm, her shattered Hull left onshore near Braddocks Bay. Over time, her remains likely eroded or became buried under shifting sands, leaving no known accessible wreckage.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the GEORGE CLINTON. The wreck site is presumed lost to natural forces and poses no current navigational hazards.

Located By & Date

The wreck was reported shortly after the incident on September 13, 1851, with accounts published in various newspapers of the time. However, the exact location has not been pinpointed or marked for historical purposes.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No identifiable remnants of the GEORGE CLINTON have been documented. The wreckage, if any, is presumed scattered along Braddocks Bay’s shoreline or submerged beneath sediment.

Resources & Links

• [Buffalo Daily Courier, January 5, 1852]

• [Buffalo Daily Republic, September 16, 1851]

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database

• Kingston Chronicle, November 22, 1843

Keywords

Sidewheel Steamer GEORGE CLINTON, Lake Ontario shipwreck, 1851 storm, Braddocks Bay wreck, Great Lakes maritime history, J.D. Beaupre, wooden steam vessels, Oswego shipbuilding, early steam technology.

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