GEORGE CLINTON

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History

History #

The GEORGE CLINTON a sidewheel steamer born in 1841 from the hands of shipbuilder J.D. Beaupre in Oswego, NY, saw her journey culminate in the treacherous waters of Lake Ontario. A tale of resilience and peril, she succumbed to the wrath of the elements on September 13, 1851, leaving behind a trail of wreckage in her wake.

With dimensions that measured 95 feet in length, 16 feet in width, and 7 feet in depth, the GEORGE CLINTON was a vessel of modest proportions. Her one-cylinder engine propelled her sidewheels through the waters, an emblem of early maritime technology. Owned by Jabez N. Gilbert and L.B. Littlefield, the steamer was woven into the fabric of Oswego, NY.

As the year 1851 unfolded, a tempestuous storm loomed on the horizon, setting the stage for the GEORGE CLINTON’s final voyage. With two scows in tow, she sought refuge in Braddocks Bay, near Genessee, NY, when the storm’s fury was unleashed. The vessel grappled with the forces of nature, but her power was insufficient to overcome the relentless waves.

Desperation spurred her crew into action, attempting to navigate through the churning waters. In a bid to escape the storm’s clutches, the GEORGE CLINTON attempted to set forth with one of the scows in tow. However, the tempest’s might proved too overwhelming. The vessel was thrust upon the shore, her hull shattered, and her fate sealed. The scows she towed also met their watery end.

While the vessel itself was a casualty, no lives were lost in this harrowing maritime episode. The tale of the GEORGE CLINTON’s demise echoed through the newspapers, recounting her valiant struggle and ultimate defeat. The vessel’s legacy, marked by her valiant efforts to brave the storm, remains etched into the annals of Lake Ontario’s history.

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