VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Orcadian was a two-masted wooden brig constructed in 1854 by C. Richard in St. Ours, Quebec. Brigs were common during the mid-19th century, typically used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes and beyond. The Orcadian was owned by Rae & Bros. of Hamilton, Ontario, and served as a vital link in the trade routes of the region, carrying various goods, including large quantities of grain.
HISTORY #
The Orcadian was a sturdy and reliable vessel that had served the Great Lakes region for years, primarily engaged in the transportation of bulk goods, such as wheat, which was a critical commodity for the economies of both Canada and the United States during the 19th century. On May 8, 1858, the Orcadian embarked on what would tragically become its final voyage. The vessel set sail from Bayfield, Ontario, bound for Oswego, New York, carrying a valuable cargo of 8,200 bushels of wheat—a typical load for a ship of its kind, reflecting the bustling trade that crisscrossed the Great Lakes at the time.
As the Orcadian navigated the vast waters of Lake Ontario, it encountered another vessel, the schooner Lucy J. Latham, near Little Sodus. The precise circumstances leading up to the collision remain unclear, but the impact was catastrophic. The Orcadian collided with the Lucy J. Latham with such force that the rigging of the Orcadian became entangled with the bowsprit of the Latham, creating a dire situation for both vessels. The severity of the collision caused the stern of the Latham to rise dramatically—between 10 to 12 feet out of the water—further complicating the situation and making the vessels difficult to separate.
Despite the crews’ best efforts to disentangle the vessels and address the immediate damage, the situation deteriorated quickly. The entanglement and the force of the collision led to the breaking off of the Latham‘s bowsprit, which left the Orcadian vulnerable and severely compromised. Water began to flood the Orcadian at an alarming rate, and despite the crew’s frantic attempts to pump out the incoming water, their efforts proved futile. The wooden hull of the Orcadian could not withstand the damage, and the ship was rapidly taking on water, forcing Captain James Corrigal and his crew to make the difficult decision to abandon ship.
In a remarkable stroke of luck, all of the Orcadian‘s crew were able to evacuate safely, with no loss of life reported. The crew’s swift action in the face of disaster ensured that they were able to escape before the ship was fully submerged. However, the Orcadian, along with its valuable cargo of wheat, was lost to the depths of Lake Ontario. The sinking of the Orcadian underlined the inherent dangers of maritime navigation in the 19th century, particularly on the Great Lakes, where even routine voyages could turn disastrous due to collisions, severe weather, or the limitations of wooden vessel construction.
The incident involving the Orcadian and the Lucy J. Latham is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by sailors during this era. The unpredictable nature of the Great Lakes, combined with the crowded shipping lanes and the vulnerabilities of the wooden vessels used at the time, made every journey a potential risk. The loss of the Orcadian on May 8, 1858, became another chapter in the long history of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, where the remnants of countless vessels lie silent on the lakebed, each with its own story of peril and survival.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Orcadian sank on May 8, 1858, following a collision with the schooner Lucy J. Latham off Little Sodus on Lake Ontario. The vessel was lost along with its cargo of 8,200 bushels of wheat. Despite the dramatic nature of the collision and subsequent sinking, all crew members survived the incident.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
Located by: Not specified; the exact location of the wreck remains undocumented.
Date of Discovery: Not applicable.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Orcadian wreck site. The location of the vessel’s remains is not marked on navigational charts, and it does not pose a known hazard to current navigation.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The remains of the Orcadian have not been definitively located, and its current condition is unknown. Without specific knowledge of its resting place, the site is not accessible to divers or researchers.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides historical context and records related to Great Lakes vessels, including the Orcadian.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive resource for researching shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the Orcadian.
- Great Lakes Ships: Offers extensive information on historical vessels that operated on the Great Lakes, including the Orcadian.
CONCLUSION #
The Orcadian was a typical example of the brigs that served the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, playing a vital role in the transport of goods across these inland seas. Its sinking after a collision with the schooner Lucy J. Lathamunderscores the dangers faced by mariners of the time, where even well-built and capable ships could quickly meet their end due to unforeseen accidents. The survival of the crew is a testament to their quick thinking and skill in the face of disaster, while the loss of the Orcadian adds to the rich history of shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.
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