ATLAS (1817, Schooner)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: ATLAS
•Year of Build: 1817
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: Richland (Salmon River), New York
•Vessel Type: Schooner
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Number of Decks: 1
Power and Masts
•Number of Masts: 2
Hull Dimensions
•Tonnage (Old Style): 23 tons
Vessel Type
The Atlas was a small, two-masted wooden schooner built in 1817 at Richland, near the Salmon River in New York. With a tonnage of just 23 tons, it was among the smaller vessels on Lake Ontario, designed for transporting goods or passengers between ports on the lake’s shores. Schooners like the Atlas were vital for early trade and transport across the Great Lakes, especially for carrying smaller loads between growing settlements.
History
The Atlas was enrolled in Oswego, New York, from 1817 to 1818, engaging in local trade along the southern shores of Lake Ontario. By 1821, it had been enrolled in Genesee, New York, continuing its commercial service on the lake.
On December 13, 1821, the Atlas encountered severe weather while sailing near the Salmon River. The vessel wrecked during the storm, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives. The cause of the wreck is likely attributed to the harsh winter conditions that were common on Lake Ontario during this period, where schooners often faced sudden storms and icy waters.
Final Disposition
The Atlas was wrecked near the Salmon River on December 13, 1821, on Lake Ontario. The vessel was a total loss, and five crew members perished in the accident. The exact details of the wreck, including the nature of the damage or any attempts at recovery, remain unclear, but the small size of the vessel and the severity of the conditions likely led to its complete destruction.
Located By & Date
There are no records of the wreck being recovered or discovered in modern times. Given its small size and the early date of the wreck, any remains of the Atlas would likely be difficult to locate and could be buried in sediment near the Salmon River.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no known navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Atlas. However, the area around the Salmon River is known for numerous shipwrecks, as the mouth of the river has historically been a challenging area for navigation due to weather conditions on Lake Ontario.
Resources & Links
For more detailed research and potential sources:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The Atlas represents the early schooners that navigated the Great
