History: The Washington was constructed in 1797 in Erie, Pennsylvania, by Eliphalet Beebe, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Population Company. The vessel was intended to transport settlers and supplies to lands north of Erie. Launched on September 15, 1798, the sloop made its maiden voyage to Fort Erie, marking the beginning of its service on the Great Lakes.
Notably, the Washington was the first sloop built on Lake Erie and eventually became the first to sail in both Lakes Erie and Ontario. It was transported on wheels to Lake Ontario, where it continued its service under the British flag and was renamed Lady Washington.
Tragically, in 1803, the Washington was lost in a storm on Lake Ontario while en route from Kingston, Ontario, to Niagara, Ontario. The vessel foundered near Oswego, New York, marking the end of its illustrious but brief career. The Washington is recognized as the oldest confirmed commercial sailing ship on the Great Lakes, making its wreck a significant historical artifact.
Final Disposition: The wreck of the Washington lies near Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario. The exact details of the wreck’s condition remain unspecified, but its historical significance is well-acknowledged due to its early construction date and its role in Great Lakes commerce.
Significance: The Washington is a historically important vessel, marking several firsts in Great Lakes maritime history. Its construction as the first sloop on Lake Erie and its subsequent operation on Lake Ontario under the British flag highlight the early development of commerce and settlement in the region. The loss of the Washington in 1803 adds a poignant chapter to the story of early American and Canadian naval and commercial activities on the Great Lakes.
References:
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Washington / Lady Washington
- Herman Runge List of Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes
