IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Orient was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners like the Orient were built for their speed and ability to navigate the often unpredictable waters of the lakes. The vessel, constructed in 1870 by Parsons & Humble in Tonawanda, New York, had a tonnage of 319 tons, making it a mid-sized schooner designed to carry substantial cargoes across the Great Lakes.
HISTORY #
The Orient was owned by Faulkner & Best, likely based in Oswego or Dexter, New York. It served as a cargo vessel on Lake Ontario, participating in the bustling maritime trade of the time. On October 4, 1876, while on a voyage from Sackett’s Harbor to Oswego, the Orient encountered a powerful storm near Stoney Point, approximately three miles above Dexter, New York. The schooner was carrying a light load, including wrecking pumps, when it capsized during the night due to the fierce gale.
The overturned vessel washed ashore upside-down, indicating the severity of the storm and the challenges faced by the crew. There were no reports of loss of life, suggesting that the crew may have managed to abandon the ship before it capsized. About a week later, the tug MOREY successfully raised the Orient, intending to tow it to Oswego for repairs.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Despite the successful salvage operation, the Orient met its final demise during another storm while en route to Oswego. On October 23, 1876, the wreck was discovered capsized and completely broken up, representing a total loss. The wreckage was found approximately one mile south of Stoney Point, Lake Ontario, marking the end of the Orient’s service on the Great Lakes.
The efforts to salvage the vessel after the initial wreck were ultimately in vain, as the schooner could not withstand the subsequent storm that led to its final destruction. The Orient’s loss highlights the dangers of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during the volatile fall storm season.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SITE #
The loss of the Orient is a significant event in the maritime history of Lake Ontario, illustrating the perils faced by schooners and their crews during the 19th century. The vessel’s repeated encounters with severe weather, despite salvage attempts, underscore the unpredictability of the Great Lakes and the constant threat posed by storms.
The final resting place of the Orient, approximately one mile south of Stoney Point, serves as a reminder of the challenges of maritime life on the Great Lakes and the resilience required by those who navigated these waters.
FUTURE EXPLORATION AND PRESERVATION #
The wreck site of the Orient, while not well-documented in modern records, could still hold historical significance. If located, it could offer insights into the construction and operation of schooners in the late 19th century. Preservation efforts should focus on protecting any remaining artifacts or structural remnants from unauthorized disturbances and ensuring that the site is documented for future research.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A resource for detailed records and narratives related to shipwrecks like the Orient.
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society: An organization dedicated to preserving and exploring shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, including the Orient.
