I(DENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The ANAWAN was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was prominent on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. These ships were designed for cargo transport and featured fore-and-aft rigged sails on two or more masts. Schooners like the ANAWAN were known for their speed and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting goods across the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.
HISTORY: #
The ANAWAN set sail from Buffalo, New York, bound for Presque Isle, Canada, in June 1852. With a crew of five men and one young passenger, the schooner was carrying a valuable cargo, reflecting the bustling maritime trade of the era. The Great Lakes were a crucial route for commerce, connecting the interior of North America with major ports.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
On a fateful night in June, the ANAWAN encountered heavy squalls as it sailed approximately eight miles off the shore of Pultneyville, New York. The treacherous weather conditions led to the vessel capsizing, leaving it floating on its beam ends. The schooner PEARL, captained by Cochran, discovered the wrecked ANAWAN and attempted to assist. However, the crew was nowhere to be found, and it was presumed that all five crew members and the young passenger had been lost at sea.
Days later, the ANAWAN was towed into Buffalo Harbor by the steamer Howard and the brig Champlain. Tragically, the body of a young boy, identified as James Herrigan, was found floating in the hold of the vessel. James, who was about 14 years old and served as the cook on the ANAWAN, was likely asleep in his berth when the schooner capsized. His death was ruled as accidental drowning following an inquest by Coroner Lewis. No other bodies were found on the vessel, but the incident left a lasting mark on the maritime community.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this wreck, as the ANAWAN did not sink but was instead recovered and brought to harbor. The event is a historical incident rather than a navigational hazard today.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The ANAWAN was located soon after it capsized and was towed back to Buffalo Harbor. The date of discovery and towing is within days of the incident in June 1852.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
The ANAWAN did not remain underwater and was not left to decay at the bottom of Lake Ontario. After being towed to Buffalo Harbor, the vessel was presumably dismantled or otherwise removed from service. As such, there is no wreck site to visit today.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- St. Lawrence County Historical Association: While focused on the broader region, this association may have archives related to maritime incidents on Lake Ontario.
- New York State Archives: Holds collections that may include records or newspaper accounts of the ANAWAN’s tragic capsizing.
- Buffalo Maritime Center: A local resource for historical information on ships built and operated out of Buffalo, NY.
PHOTOS: #
Given the time period (1852), there are no known photographs of the ANAWAN. However, illustrations of similar schooners from the era may be found in maritime history books or archives.
