S.S. Osborne (1874)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: S.S. Osborne
•Vessel Type: Schooner
•Date of Wreck: November 1874
•Location: Cassidy’s Reef, 2 miles east of Port Colborne, near Gravely Bay, Lake Erie
•Cause: Stranding due to weather and worsening hull condition
Vessel Type Description:
The S.S. Osborne was a schooner valued at $35,000, used primarily for transporting bulk cargo, such as ore. Schooners were common on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, especially for commercial shipping. This vessel was insured for $30,000 and owned by Mr. Wilcox of Painesville, Ohio.
History:
In November 1874, the S.S. Osborne encountered severe difficulties while navigating near Gravely Bay on Lake Erie, resulting in the vessel running aground near Cassidy’s Reef, two miles from Port Colborne.
The tug Compound, equipped with wrecking appliances, was dispatched to assist, but early efforts were unsuccessful. As the situation worsened, an expedition was sent from Detroit with a lighter and steam pumps to begin salvage operations. However, the schooner’s condition continued to deteriorate, with the hull weakening.
Multiple wreckers, including Captain Grummond, attempted to salvage the vessel, but all efforts were abandoned as it became clear the Osborne was breaking apart. A special dispatch from Port Colborne later reported that the ship had been torn apart by the waves, with wreckage washing ashore.
Final Disposition:
The S.S. Osborne was declared a total loss. The cargo of ore and the ship itself could not be saved, and significant portions of the wreckage washed ashore near Port Colborne.
Located By & Date:
The wreck of the S.S. Osborne was reported in November 1874 following multiple failed salvage attempts.
Notmars & Advisories:
•Obstructions: The wreckage of the Osborne posed navigational hazards near Cassidy’s Reef, a notoriously dangerous area for ships.
•Advisories: Wreckers declined to take on the job due to the increasingly unstable condition of the vessel.
Current Condition & Accessibility:
The wreckage of the S.S. Osborne was scattered along the shoreline near Port Colborne after the schooner broke apart. The site may still contain remnants of the ship, though much of it likely deteriorated due to exposure to the elements and time.
Resources & Links:
•[Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, November 1874 Reports]
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Keywords:
S.S. Os
