OGARITA (1864)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Ogarita was a wooden-hulled schooner built in 1864, a typical sailing vessel of the mid-19th century designed for the transportation of bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. With a gross tonnage of 604 tons, the Ogarita was among the larger schooners of its time, capable of carrying significant amounts of cargo. Schooners like the Ogarita were essential to the commerce of the Great Lakes, particularly before the widespread use of steam-powered vessels.

HISTORY #

The Ogarita had a long and productive career on the Great Lakes, serving as a cargo carrier between various ports. It was constructed in Conneaut, Ohio, in 1864, during a period when schooners were the dominant type of cargo vessel on the lakes. Over its four decades of service, the Ogarita would have seen the transition from sail to steam as the primary means of propulsion on the Great Lakes.

On October 25, 1905, the Ogarita met a tragic end when it caught fire off Thunder Bay Island, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The cause of the fire is not detailed in the available records, but it resulted in the complete destruction of the vessel. Despite the severity of the incident, all six crew members on board at the time were able to escape without injury, making their way to safety as the ship burned.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Ogarita was completely destroyed by fire on October 25, 1905, off Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron. The remains of the vessel likely sank or were scattered by the fire and subsequent breakup of the structure, though the specific fate of the wreckage is not recorded. The fire marked the end of the Ogarita‘s long service on the Great Lakes.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The exact location of the Ogarita‘s remains is not specified in the historical records, and it is unclear whether any part of the wreck has been identified or located. Given the circumstances of its loss, it is possible that little remains of the vessel today.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Ogarita following its destruction by fire. However, mariners navigating near Thunder Bay Island should always exercise caution due to the area’s history of shipwrecks and underwater hazards.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: NOAA Thunder Bay NMS

CONCLUSION #

The destruction of the Ogarita by fire in 1905 is a poignant chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. As one of the many schooners that plied these waters in the 19th century, the Ogarita played a vital role in the commerce and development of the region. Its loss off Thunder Bay Island adds to the storied history of this area, which is rich in maritime heritage.

KEYWORDS #

• Ogarita schooner
• Lake Huron shipwreck
• Thunder Bay Island fire
• Great Lakes maritime history
• Schooner fire

GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #

While specific coordinates for the wreck of the Ogarita are not available, the incident occurred off Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron. Mariners and researchers interested in the area’s maritime history should be aware of the significance of this location and the many shipwrecks associated with it.