IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Cayuga was a small steam screw propeller freighter constructed in 1919 in Durhamville, New York. The vessel was designed to serve the freight transportation needs on Lake Ontario, a vital link in the supply chain for the region. Made of wood, the Cayuga measured 94 feet in length, 18 feet in width, and 6 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 74 tons and a net tonnage of 48 tons. The vessel’s modest size made it well-suited for navigating the lakes and rivers of the area, carrying various types of cargo essential to the economy of the Great Lakes region.
HISTORY #
The Cayuga played an important role in the maritime transportation network on Lake Ontario, serving as a key vessel for the movement of goods across the lake. However, the vessel’s service came to a tragic end on April 1, 1925, when a devastating fire broke out while the Cayuga was docked in Rochester, New York.
The fire quickly spread through the wooden structure of the vessel, fueled by the flammable materials commonly found on such ships. Despite the efforts of the crew and responders to extinguish the flames, the intensity of the fire proved too great, and the Cayuga was completely consumed by the blaze. The vessel was a total loss, sinking as a result of the fire’s destruction.
While the cargo on board the Cayuga at the time of the fire is not specified in the available records, it is likely that any cargo was also destroyed in the incident, adding to the financial losses incurred by the vessel’s owners. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties, as the crew was able to evacuate the vessel safely before the fire engulfed it completely.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Cayuga was lost entirely due to the fire on April 1, 1925. The wooden hull of the vessel, combined with the intensity of the flames, meant that little could be done to save the ship once the fire took hold. The exact location of the wreckage, if any remains, has not been documented, and it is presumed that the vessel was heavily damaged beyond salvage.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the loss of the Cayuga. The incident serves as a historical reminder of the dangers faced by wooden vessels, particularly the risk of fire, which was a constant threat in the era before more fire-resistant materials became common in shipbuilding.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The exact location of the Cayuga’s remains has not been publicly documented, and the vessel was likely destroyed to the extent that it left little, if any, salvageable wreckage. There have been no modern efforts to locate the remains of the vessel.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Given that the Cayuga was completely consumed by fire and sank in 1925, it is unlikely that any significant portion of the wreck remains. The wooden structure would have been largely destroyed by the fire and subsequent sinking, and any remains are presumed to have deteriorated over time. The site, if it exists, is not accessible for diving or exploration.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
For further information on the Cayuga and its fiery demise, the following resources were referenced:
- Loss Reported of American Vessels, Merchant Vessel List U.S., 1926
- Merchant Vessel List U.S., 1923
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website
- Great Lakes Ships C Patrick Labadie Collection
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Wrecksite
