IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Henry Doville was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its fore-and-aft rigging on two or more masts. Schooners were commonly used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes due to their agility and speed. The Henry Doville was relatively small, with a tonnage of 67, making it suitable for transporting modest cargoes such as wheat, as in its final voyage.
HISTORY #
Built in 1844 by H. Doville in Big Sodus, NY, the Henry Doville served as a reliable workhorse on the Great Lakes. Owned by Wm Hunter & Co., the schooner operated primarily out of Oswego, NY. On its final journey in October 1855, the vessel set sail from Toronto, bound for Oswego, New York, with a cargo of wheat. Unfortunately, the ship encountered severe weather conditions during the voyage, leading to its eventual sinking.
The Henry Doville met its tragic fate on October 18, 1855, when a violent storm struck Lake Ontario off the coast of Oak Orchard, NY. The vessel began to leak, and despite the crew’s desperate attempts to keep her afloat, they were forced to abandon ship as the situation worsened. The Henry Doville ultimately capsized and sank, with all lives tragically lost. The loss of this vessel underscores the dangers that mariners faced on the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy fall season.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The precise location of the Henry Doville’s wreck has not been documented, and it remains a subject of interest for maritime historians and wreck hunters.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck Database
- Great Lakes Maritime History Resources: Great Lakes Ships
- Lake Ontario Shipwrecks: Great Lakes Now
- Shipwreck Archives: Minnesota Historical Society
- Public Domain Image Resource: Link to Public Domain Images
