Other Names
- HENRY AINSWORTH – Possible Recovery
History
On November 20, 1846, during a severe storm, the AINSWORTH was moored at the West Pier in Oswego, New York, awaiting better weather. However, the strong northwest wind intensified into a terrifying gale. The vessel broke free from its moorings and was blown off course, eventually colliding with the rocks near Fort Ontario. The impact resulted in the schooner being dismasted and thrown onto its beam ends, rendering it a total wreck. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.
The AINSWORTH had been cleared just the day before the storm with a cargo of salt destined for Cleveland. The Canadian schooner GRAMPUS, which had undergone repairs and refitting following damage from a previous gale in October, also met a similar fate and was wrecked alongside the AINSWORTH. The GRAMPUS, carrying a heavy cargo of oak timber, broke amidships and was expected to be a complete loss.
The crews of both vessels were rescued the following morning by members of the Revenue Cutter Service using the yawl from their cutter.
There is a mention of another vessel named H. AINSWORTH, built in 1842 by Luther Moses in Cleveland. It is possible that this may be the same vessel, but there is no further information provided regarding its recovery or connection to the AINSWORTH.
Sources and External Links
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Buffalo Courier Tuesday, November 24, 1846
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website
- Onondaga Gazette, Baldwinsville, N.Y., November 30, 1846
- The Argus, Kingston December 1, 1846
