: Commodore Owen (1820)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

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Vessel Name: Commodore Owen (often referred to simply as Owen)
Official Number: Not documented
Type: Wooden schooner
Tonnage: Not documented
Length: Not documented
Beam: Not documented
Depth: Not documented
Construction: Wooden hull, typical of schooners of the early 19th century
Owner & Captain: Captain Sinclair
Location of Wreck: Near Oak Orchard, approximately 40 miles below Niagara, Lake Ontario, USA
Depth of Wreck: Not documented; the vessel was driven ashore
GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical records; specific coordinates are not provided
Date of Wreck: November 1820

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Commodore Owen was a wooden schooner, typical of the early 19th-century vessels that plied the Great Lakes. While specific construction details such as tonnage, length, beam, and depth are not documented, the schooner was used for cargo transport between ports like Kingston and York (now Toronto). The vessel was captained by a cautious and experienced sailor, Captain Sinclair, who was known for his attentiveness to navigation and the safety of his crew.

HISTORY #

In November 1820, the Commodore Owen set sail from Kingston, Ontario, bound for York. The schooner encountered a severe storm, characterized by a violent gale and heavy snowfall, conditions that were treacherous for lake navigation. Concerns were raised for the safety of the Owen as the storm intensified, with fears that the vessel might be lost.

Unfortunately, the worst fears were realized when the Commodore Owen struck the ground near Oak Orchard, approximately 40 miles below Niagara. Despite Captain Sinclair’s efforts to save the vessel by dropping anchors, the cabin began to fill with water, forcing him to slip the cable in a desperate attempt to bring the schooner closer to shore.

The crew and passengers, numbering thirteen in total, endured a harrowing ordeal. Exposed to the storm’s fury and suffering from the cold, they finally managed to reach the shore. The cargo, mostly ruined due to the lack of nearby shelter, was salvaged as best as possible. The event left the crew and passengers deeply shaken, having survived the storm but losing much of the vessel’s cargo.

Captain Sinclair, known for his meticulousness, was unable to explain the cause of the wreck. He had been on deck throughout the night, checking the compass regularly and directing the helmsman toward York. He speculated that the compass error might have been due to a widely held belief among lake sailors that compasses do not function properly during snowstorms. While this belief was debated, Captain Sinclair suspected that the issue lay with the compass’s construction rather than the influence of snow on the needle.

The same storm that doomed the Commodore Owen also caused significant maritime losses across Lake Ontario:

Schooner Mayflower: Owned and captained by Captain Patterson, the Mayflower met a tragic fate during the storm. While anchored at Cobourg to unload goods, a southeast gale caused the anchor cable to part. In the confusion and darkness, Captain Patterson fell overboard and drowned, witnessed by his eldest son who was unable to save him.
Schooner Kingston Packet & York Packet (formerly Comet): Both vessels were driven onto the beach at Niagara, with the York Packet suffering significant damage.
Schooner Wellington: The old schooner Wellington was completely wrecked near Stoney Creek.
American Vessels: Three American vessels were reported stranded at the head of the lake.
Schooner Catherine: Owned by Mr. Lyons of Presque Isle, the Catherine went aground near Pultneyville and was wrecked.

These incidents underscored the perilous conditions faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, particularly during the harsh winter months.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Commodore Owen was driven ashore and wrecked near Oak Orchard during the storm. Salvage efforts were undertaken, with Mr. Tucker returning from Oak Orchard with the sails, rigging, crew, and one of the anchors and cables that had been slipped by Captain Sinclair during the grounding of the vessel.

The schooner Mayflower, along with several other vessels, was lost during the same storm, marking one of the most tragic maritime events on Lake Ontario in 1820.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Commodore Owen or the other vessels lost during this storm. However, these events are remembered as part of the historical maritime heritage of Lake Ontario.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The exact locations of the wrecks have not been publicly documented, and these sites have likely been lost to time. The wreck of the Commodore Owen has not been located by modern surveys.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given the age of the wrecks and the fact that they have not been located or explored, it is presumed that any remains are in a state of advanced deterioration, if any exist at all. The sites are not accessible for diving or exploration.