OATLAND (formerly known as William J. Averell)C138107

Shipwreck of the Oatland (Formerly William J. Averell) #

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

• Vessel Name: Oatland (formerly known as William J. Averell)
• Vessel Type: Wooden Package Freighter
• Location: Button Bay, Wolfe Island, St. Lawrence River
• Coordinates: N44° 09.05.47′ W076° 20.53.99′
• Depth: 1 foot (0.3 meters) at its shallowest point, with parts of the wreck partially visible above the water
• Length: 246 feet (75 meters)
• Final Disposition: Scuttled in Lake Ontario near Cape Vincent, New York, in 1931

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Oatland was a wooden package freighter, a type of cargo vessel designed to transport bulk goods, such as grain, manufactured items, and building materials across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Built in 1884, the vessel featured a fore and aft compound engine capable of delivering significant horsepower, making it a powerful freighter for its time. Its design included two funnels and diagonal strapping, typical of late 19th-century freighters.

HISTORY #

Construction and Launch: The Oatland was launched on March 29, 1884, by Detroit Dry Dock in Wyandotte, Michigan. Originally named William J. Averell, the freighter was built for the Ogdensburg Transportation Co., the shipping arm of the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad. The vessel was constructed at a cost of $70,000, with a gross tonnage of 1,603.14 tons and a net tonnage of 1,425.43 tons. It was capable of carrying 43,000 bushels of wheat or 1,450 tons of cargo on a 14-foot draft.

Operational Years: The Oatland served primarily to transport western grain to Ogdensburg, New York, where it was then shipped east by rail. Additionally, it carried manufactured goods and building stone westward. The freighter operated alongside other vessels in the Ogdensburg Line, although it faced financial difficulties early on when the owners defaulted on payments to the builders in 1885. Despite these setbacks, the vessel was repaired over the winter of 1885-1886 and returned to service.

Incidents and Ownership Changes: Throughout its operational life, the Oatland experienced several incidents, including running aground on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan on June 13, 1890. It received a new propeller in 1894 and was transferred to Rutland Transit in 1899 after the Central Vermont Railroad, which owned the vessel, was taken over.

In 1916, due to legislation related to the Panama Canal, the vessel was sold to the Great Lakes Transit Co. and subsequently transferred to Canadian registry under the ownership of Lake & River Transportation Co. of Montreal. The Oatland was lengthened at Cantin’s Dry Dock in Montreal and continued to operate under new ownership, transporting Canada Steamship Lines package freight upbound and Montreal Transportation Co. grain downbound.

Final Years and Scuttling: In 1921, the Oatland was transferred to Canada Steamship Lines as part of the winding up of the Montreal Transportation Co. fleet. However, the vessel was retired and laid up in Kingston, Ontario, by 1927. Officially declared abandoned, the hull was partially dismantled in 1931 and scuttled near Cape Vincent, New York, in Lake Ontario. The vessel’s remains were broken apart by natural forces over time.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the Oatland lies submerged in Button Bay, Wolfe Island, in the St. Lawrence River. The wreckage is in shallow water, with some parts of the hull partially visible above the waterline, making it a potential hazard for surface navigation. The wreck’s location is recorded with high positional accuracy, and the site remains accessible for exploration, though divers and boaters should exercise caution due to the shallow depth.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

1. Great Lakes Maritime Database

   • A comprehensive source for information on Great Lakes vessels, including freighters like the Oatland.
   • Great Lakes Maritime Database

2. Maritime History of the Great Lakes

   • Extensive records and historical data on shipwrecks, providing context for the Oatland‘s history.
   • Maritime History of the Great Lakes

3. Wrecksite EU

   • A resource for shipwreck information worldwide, including the Oatland in the Great Lakes.
   • Wrecksite EU

4. Library and Archives Canada

   • Access to Canadian ship registration records and historical documents related to vessels like the Oatland.
   • Library and Archives Canada