OMAR PASCHA

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Name: Omar Pacha
Type: Schooner (three-masted)
Built: 1854, Oshawa, Ontario
Builder: Lamorse or Lummaree
Dimensions:
- Length: 133 feet (40.5 meters)
- Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)
Tonnage: 220 tons (register tonnage)
Final Resting Place: Off Stoney Island, Lake Ontario

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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Omar Pacha was a wooden three-masted schooner designed for transporting valuable cargoes, such as wheat, across the Great Lakes. Owned by Gooderham & Co. of Toronto, the vessel was representative of the robust and utilitarian design of mid-19th century Great Lakes schooners, built to endure the rigors of commercial shipping on the often unpredictable waters.

HISTORY #

Launched in 1854, the Omar Pacha served as a vital link in the transportation network of the Great Lakes, carrying goods between ports such as Toronto and others on the lakes. The schooner was named after a famous Turkish general, reflecting the period’s fascination with exotic names and figures. The vessel’s name was likely intended to evoke strength and resilience, qualities essential for survival on the Great Lakes.

On November 25, 1862, the Omar Pacha embarked on what would be its final voyage. Laden with a cargo of wheat from Toronto, the schooner encountered a severe blizzard as it approached Stoney Island, New York. The storm’s ferocity drove the vessel ashore, causing it to break apart. The crew of seven clung to the remains of the wreck, making a desperate and dangerous journey across the shattered masts to reach the safety of the island’s snowy shoreline. Tragically, one crew member, the cook, lost his life during the ordeal.

Stranded on Stoney Island, the remaining crew endured a month of isolation, surviving the brutal winter conditions. It wasn’t until the lake froze over that they were able to escape, traveling by sleigh to Kingston, Ontario. Their survival story became a poignant reminder of the perils faced by sailors during the harsh winter months on the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The wreckage of the Omar Pacha was left abandoned, its remains gradually becoming submerged beneath the waters of Lake Ontario. The exact location of the wreck is not widely documented, and the site has largely remained forgotten over time. However, its story continues to captivate those interested in maritime history, serving as a symbol of the dangers that once plagued the shipping routes of the Great Lakes.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the Omar Pacha has not been specifically located or documented in modern times. Its final resting place remains one of the many mysteries of Lake Ontario.