OXFORD

Tiller Wreck

Site Description

The Oxford, a scow schooner built in 1847, had a brief but eventful history. Constructed in Ohio City, Ohio, the vessel was made of wood and featured a single deck. It was originally owned by R. Johnson and others from Ohio City, Ohio. With two masts, the Oxford was a modest-sized vessel, measuring 75 feet 2 inches in length, 18 feet 10 inches in beam, and 3 feet 10 inches in depth. Its tonnage, according to the old style measurement, was 49.6.

Tragically, on October 23, 1849, the Oxford met its final fate. While sailing approximately 8 miles offshore from Sturgeon Point, New York, in Lake Erie, the scow schooner sank. The exact cause of the sinking is unknown. At the time of the incident, the Oxford was carrying a cargo of staves. However, the crew managed to escape the sinking vessel, ensuring their safety.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Oxford was involved in various ownership changes. It was initially enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1847 to 1849. In 1848, the vessel operated from Point Clinton, Ohio. Ownership of the Oxford passed to C.C. Butts of Cleveland on May 14, 1849, and subsequently to L.M. Brown, also from Cleveland, on July 14, 1849.

The sinking of the Oxford serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by sailors and vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Although its history was cut short, the Oxford played its part in the bustling maritime trade of the era, carrying goods and contributing to the econom