The schooner Frank Stewart, carrying a cargo of lumber, encountered a tragic fate outside the piers at Oswego. The vessel became stranded and was ultimately declared a total loss. The crew, fortunately, managed to escape unharmed.
According to reports, on November 18, 1863, the Frank Stewart, en route from Hamilton, attempted to enter the harbor at Oswego. However, it struck against the east pier, causing the ship to lose control. All crew members, except for the cook, a female, were able to reach the safety of the pier. The vessel drifted towards a nearby shoal near Fort Ontario and was left completely wrecked.
The cook, who was trapped in the cabin as it filled with water and floating lumber, was rescued by courageous individuals using a yawl boat. She was taken to the city hospital to receive proper care. The fate of the vessel’s cargo or whether it was insured remains unclear. It was reported that 112,000 feet of lumber was consigned to O.M. Bond and 19,000 feet to D.L. Couch.
Notable individuals involved in the rescue operation included Michael Kerwin, Patrick Gillen, Edward Delany from the schooner Forrest, and H.W. Mitchell from the Monitor Saloon, among others.
The Frank Stewart, a Canadian schooner under the command of Captain Anchor of Cobourg, was eventually driven ashore under Fort Ontario, approximately 90 rods (1,485 feet) from the beach. It suffered significant damage, breaking amidships, and was considered a complete wreck. The crew members, thankfully, were all saved.
The vessel had been transporting lumber from Hamilton to Oswego, and it carried a total of 131,000 feet of lumber. Some of the scattered cargo was later recovered from the beach. It was reported that the Frank Stewart was insured by a Canadian company.
