FOLEY U6749

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: Foley
Official Number: 6749
Type: Wooden-hulled steamer
Tonnage: Gross – 541 tons, Net – 348 tons
Length: 154 feet (46.9 meters)
Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters)
Depth: 16 feet (4.9 meters)
Construction: Built in 1872 in Baltimore, Maryland
Propulsion: Screw propulsion system
Owner & Captain: Captain James Godman
Location of Wreck: Approximately 15 miles above Charlotte, New York, and 8 miles offshore in Lake Ontario
Depth of Wreck: Over 400 feet (122 meters)
GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical records; specific coordinates are not provided
Date of Wreck: July 1, 1890

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Foley was a wooden-hulled steamer constructed in 1872 in Baltimore, Maryland. The vessel was designed for robust service, with a screw propulsion system that powered its operations on the Great Lakes. The Foley measured 154 feet in length, with a beam of 31 feet and a depth of 16 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 541 tons and a net tonnage of 348 tons, making it a significant vessel for transporting cargo across the inland seas.

Captain James Godman, who also owned the vessel, had acquired the Foley from the Atlantic coast around 1886. The steamer was valued at over $40,000 at the time of its acquisition, reflecting its importance as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY #

On July 1, 1890, the Foley was on a voyage from Charlotte, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, towing another vessel named the American Union. Both vessels were loaded with coal, with the Foley carrying 748 tons of the valuable cargo. The journey appeared to be routine until disaster struck off the coast of Charlotte.

The Foley‘s boiler house suddenly caught fire, and despite the crew’s best efforts and the occurrence of a rain squall, the fire quickly spread out of control. The crew was forced to abandon ship, taking refuge in a small boat as the fire consumed the vessel. The flames burned the Foley down to the water’s edge, and the steamer eventually sank in deep water, over 400 feet below the surface of Lake Ontario, approximately 15 miles above Charlotte and 8 miles offshore.

The American Union, which was unable to take the displaced crew on board, safely transported them to the shore. The crew was then assisted by a local farmer, who provided transportation to a nearby railroad station. The loss of the Foleywas significant, as the vessel was insured for approximately $19,000, with the insurance arranged by William Egan of Chicago. The cargo of coal was insured for $2,872 with Smith, Davis & Co.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Foley was a total loss after the fire on July 1, 1890. The vessel sank in over 400 feet of water, where it remains to this day, lost to the depths of Lake Ontario. The exact cause of the fire was not documented, leaving the incident as a tragic and somewhat mysterious end to the vessel’s service.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Foley. However, the area off Charlotte, New York, is known for its historical shipwrecks, and mariners should be aware of the challenging conditions that can arise on Lake Ontario.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The exact location of the Foley’s wreck has not been publicly documented, and it remains undisturbed in the deep waters of Lake Ontario. The wreck has not been located by modern surveys and is likely inaccessible due to the depth at which it rests.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given that the Foley sank in 1890 and has not been located or explored, the wreck is presumed to be in a state of significant deterioration, if any remains exist at all. The depth of over 400 feet makes the site inaccessible to recreational divers, and the wooden structure of the vessel would have likely decayed over time in the cold waters of Lake Ontario.