The Orcadian was a two-masted wooden brig that sunk outside Sodus Bay in Sodus, New York. It was built in 1854 by C. Richard in St. Ours, Quebec. The vessel had a length of 94 feet, a width of 20 feet, a depth of 9 feet, and a tonnage of 147.
On May 8, 1858, the Orcadian met its tragic fate off Little Sodus in Lake Ontario. The vessel was carrying a cargo of 8,200 bushels of wheat and was bound for Oswego, New York, from Bayfield, Ontario, in Lake Huron. It collided with the schooner Lucy J. Latham during the journey.
As the Orcadian sank, its rigging became entangled with the bowsprit of the Lucy J. Latham. The collision caused the Latham’s stern to rise about 10 to 12 feet out of the water. Eventually, the bowsprit of the Latham broke off, and the Orcadian went down to the bottom of the lake. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident.
The Orcadian was owned by Rae & Bros. of Hamilton, Ontario, and its master was Captain James Corrigal. The collision and subsequent sinking of the Orcadian highlight the dangers and risks involved in maritime trade and navigation during that time.
