IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
- Vessel Name: General Pierce (also known as Frank Pierce or Franklin Pierce)
- Build Year and Location: Built in 1853 in Silver Creek, New York
- Dimensions: 72 feet in length, 17 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth; tonnage was 64 tons
- Wreck Location: Approximately 5 miles west of Charlotte, New York, near Duck Pond on Lake Ontario
- Date of Wreck: December 2, 1854
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The General Pierce was a two-masted wooden scow-schooner, a type of vessel characterized by its flat-bottomed design, which was well-suited for navigating the shallow waters of the Great Lakes and their tributaries. These vessels were often used to transport cargo such as coal, lumber, or general merchandise. The General Pierce was primarily employed in the shipping trade across the Great Lakes, connecting various ports.
HISTORY #
The General Pierce was constructed in 1853 in Silver Creek, New York, and served in the regional maritime trade, transporting goods across Lake Ontario and beyond. On December 2, 1854, the General Pierce embarked on a voyage from Oswego to Hamilton, Ontario, carrying general merchandise valued at $32,000. During this voyage, the vessel encountered a violent storm on Lake Ontario.
Conflicting reports exist about the ship’s intended destination and cargo. While one account states it was bound from Oswego to Hamilton with general merchandise, another suggests it was en route from Cleveland to Detroit with a cargo of coal.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The storm proved too powerful for the General Pierce, and the vessel capsized and sank near Duck Pond, around 5 miles west of Charlotte, New York. Despite the severe conditions, the entire crew managed to survive, either by reaching the shore in the ship’s lifeboat or being rescued by a government lifeboat. Notably, the ship’s insurance had expired just two days before the wreck, on November 30, 1854. The vessel was eventually recovered in June of the following year.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The General Pierce was recovered in June 1855, showcasing the determination of the salvage crews to reclaim the vessel after its misfortune.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The General Pierce was salvaged not long after its sinking, so its wreck does not remain intact at the original site. The story of its recovery underscores the resilience of maritime efforts during that era.
This tale of the General Pierce reflects both the dangers of early Great Lakes navigation and the resilience of those who braved its waters.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
-
NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
- Provides information on historical shipwrecks, including site plans and historical data.
- NOAA Thunder Bay
-
Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- A comprehensive database of Great Lakes shipwrecks, maritime incidents, and other historical resources.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
-
Wrecksite EU
- A large database of shipwrecks globally, including those in the Great Lakes.
- Wrecksite EU
-
Library and Archives Canada
- Provides access to records of ship registrations, including historical vessels like the General Pierce.
- Library and Archives Canada
