OWEN

The schooner Owen, which sailed from Kingston to York, encountered a violent gale and was feared lost during a heavy snowfall. The safety of the vessel was a cause for concern. Unfortunately, the fate of the schooner Mayflower, owned and captained by Captain Patterson, was tragic. Captain Patterson sailed from Kingston to Cobourg to unload goods. However, during the night, a southeast gale with heavy swells 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.

In addition to these incidents, several other vessels were lost during the storm. The schooners Kingston Packet and York Packet (formerly known as the Comet) were driven onto the beach at Niagara, with the latter suffering significant damage. The old schooner Wellington was completely wrecked near Stoney Creek, and three American vessels were reported stranded at the head of the lake. The schooner Catherine, owned by Mr. Lyons of Presque Isle, went aground near Pultneyville and was wrecked. The fears for the safety of the schooner Commodore Owen were unfortunately realized. The schooner struck the ground near Oak Orchard, about 40 miles below Niagara, and the captain tried to save the vessel by dropping anchors. However, as the cabin filled with water, he realized it was futile and slipped the cable to bring the vessel closer to shore. Thirteen crew members and passengers endured a harrowing experience, exposed to the storm and suffering from anxiety and the cold. They finally reached the shore and began salvaging the damaged cargo, which was mostly ruined due to lack of nearby shelter.

The captain of the Commodore Owen, known for his attentiveness and caution, could not explain the cause of the wreck. He had been on deck throughout the night, regularly checking the compass and directing the helmsman toward York. He attributed the course error to the belief held by sailors on the lakes that a compass would not function properly during a snowstorm. While the truth of this belief was debated, it seemed more reasonable to attribute the misfortune to the compass’s construction rather than the influence of snow on the needle.

Mr. Tucker returned from Oak Orchard with his decked boat, bringing the sails, rigging, and crew of the Owen, as well as one of the anchors and cables that had been slipped by Captain Sinclair during the grounding of the vessel. This indicates ongoing salvage and recovery efforts.