IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
- Vessel Name: Atlas
- Official Number: Not documented
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Tonnage: 27 tons (old style)
- Length: Not documented
- Beam: Not documented
- Depth: Not documented
- Construction: Wooden hull, single deck, two masts
- Year Built: 1838
- Builder: Dexter, New York, USA
- Owner: Ortha Little & Son, Dexter, New York
- Location of Wreck: Approximately 6 miles northwest of Oswego, New York, USA
- Depth of Wreck: Not documented
- GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical records; specific coordinates are not provided
- Date of Wreck: May 4, 1839
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Atlas was a wooden schooner built in 1838 in Dexter, New York, showcasing the craftsmanship and maritime ambitions of its builders. The vessel featured a single deck and two masts, constructed to navigate the challenging waters of Lake Ontario. With a tonnage of 27 (old style), the Atlas was a small but sturdy vessel, well-suited for carrying cargo across the Great Lakes. Its construction reflected the typical design of schooners of that era, emphasizing durability and the capacity to handle various types of freight.
HISTORY #
The Atlas embarked on its maiden voyage in 1838 under the ownership of Ortha Little & Son from Dexter, New York. The vessel was enrolled in Sacketts Harbor, New York, and was primarily used for transporting cargo across Lake Ontario. Its routes included trips between Chaumont, New York, and Oswego, New York, vital ports for regional trade.
Tragedy struck the Atlas on May 4, 1839, when the vessel encountered a violent northwest gale while carrying a cargo of limestone. The storm unleashed its fury on the schooner, with rough seas pounding the vessel mercilessly. Despite the crew’s efforts, the Atlas was unable to withstand the storm’s onslaught, and the ship ultimately succumbed to the elements, sinking approximately 6 miles northwest of Oswego.
The sinking of the Atlas was rapid, and it is believed that a shift in the cargo of limestone contributed to the vessel’s demise. The steamer Telegraph arrived at the scene after the schooner had already sunk, finding only a pair of oars and scattered articles of clothing as remnants of the lost ship.
The crew of the Atlas consisted of five brave men, all of whom perished in the sinking:
- Ashel Westcott, 26, a sailor from Brownville, Jefferson County.
- Ortha Little, 48, part-owner of the schooner and a resident of Hounsfield, Jefferson County.
- William Ackerman, 19, a sailor from Brownville.
- John See, 18, a sailor whose origins are not documented.
- Asa Davis, 30, the son of Phineas Davis from Mexico, New York, and the owner of the limestone cargo.
The loss of the Atlas was a significant tragedy, particularly for the small communities connected to the vessel and its crew.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Atlas sank rapidly due to the violent storm and the presumed shift in its cargo of limestone. The vessel was lost approximately 6 miles northwest of Oswego, New York. The schooner, along with its cargo and crew, remains one with the depths of Lake Ontario. The wreck has not been located or explored in modern times, and it is presumed that any remnants have been largely absorbed by the lakebed.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Atlas. The incident serves as a historical reminder of the risks and dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during times of severe weather.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Atlas was discovered by the team at Shipwreck World, marking a significant milestone in the documentation of Great Lakes shipwrecks. The exact coordinates of the wreck were determined during the exploration, revealing that the Atlas lies in deep water, largely intact due to the cold, fresh conditions of Lake Ontario.
The wreck is located approximately 6 miles northwest of Oswego, where it came to rest after sinking in the 1839 storm. The condition of the wreck, as observed during the discovery, shows that the wooden hull has been preserved remarkably well, providing valuable insights into the construction and final moments of the Atla
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Given the age of the wreck and the fact that it has not been located, it is presumed that the Atlas has deteriorated significantly over time. The wooden structure of the vessel would have likely decayed, leaving little to no trace on the lakebed. The site is not accessible for diving or exploration.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
For further information on the Atlas and its tragic sinking, the following resources were referenced:
- Great Lakes Ships
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- C. E. Feltner Enrollments Database
- Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, October 19, 1849
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, January 3, 1850
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Huffington Post Article about the Discovery
