Location: Lake Ontario, near Henderson Harbor, approximately 10 miles northeast of Watertown, New York
•Incident: Aircraft crash of a cabin airplane, designed for passenger transport
•Date: June 9, 1935
•Victims: Archie V. Laverty (Pilot, 40), Francis E. O’Reilly (32), Gerald Conway, Francis O’Neill (Approx. 35)
Vessel Type: #
This incident involves a cabin airplane designed for passenger transportation, not a water vessel. The aircraft, commonly used for both business and recreational flights, was tailored to ensure passenger comfort, typical of 1930s designs for short-distance flights.
Description: #
On the evening of June 9, 1935, a tragic aircraft crash occurred during what should have been a routine flight over Lake Ontario. The pilot, Archie V. Laverty, was accompanied by three passengers, all prominent figures from Watertown, New York. The aircraft suddenly spiraled out of control from a height of 1,000 feet, crashing violently into the waters of Lake Ontario. The cause of the crash remains unknown, though engine sputtering sounds reported by witnesses hint at mechanical failure as a possible factor.
History #
This event shook the local community. Aviation was still in its formative years in the 1930s, with flights often fraught with uncertainties. Aircraft such as the one flown by Laverty were popular for short distances, but technical issues could still pose life-threatening risks. The victims, all of whom had close ties to the Watertown community, were well-known figures, with Laverty being a respected pilot and businessman. Witnesses like local architect Harry W. Green, who saw the aircraft struggle before its descent, described a haunting scene as it crashed into the serene waters of Lake Ontario, marking one of the region’s most devastating aviation tragedies.
Final Disposition #
The aircraft wreckage, along with the bodies of the four victims, was never recovered. The wreck likely sank to the depths of Lake Ontario, adding an air of mystery to the tragedy. The exact cause of the crash remains unknown, though mechanical failure or sudden loss of control from some other factor seems likely. Despite searches and rescue attempts, the lake’s depth and cold waters made recovery efforts challenging.
Located By & Date #
There has been no definitive recovery of the wreck, leaving the crash site undiscovered to this day. Initial searches in the aftermath of the crash were unsuccessful.
NOTMARs & Advisories: #
As the wreck remains unfound and poses no known hazard to current navigation, there are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) for this location.
Further Research on the Plane Type
The plane piloted by Archie V. Laverty on June 9, 1935, was likely a small civilian aircraft designed for comfort and passenger transport. While the exact model is not explicitly mentioned in historical records of the crash, several types of aircraft were popular for such purposes in the early 1930s. Some of the more common aircraft used for similar purposes during that time were:
•Stinson SM-6000: A popular cabin monoplane with a reliable engine, often used for regional passenger flights and small business operations.
•Lockheed Vega: A six-passenger monoplane known for its comfort and long-range capabilities. Many small companies and wealthy individuals used this type of aircraft for personal and business travel.
•Waco Cabin Biplanes: Waco manufactured a series of cabin biplanes that were ideal for small passenger operations. They were affordable, easy to maintain, and widely available during the 1930s.
•Fairchild Model 24: Another well-known aircraft during the 1930s, the Fairchild Model 24 was used for private, commercial, and military purposes. It was equipped with a cabin that could comfortably seat 2-3 passengers plus a pilot.
Hypothesis on Aircraft Type
Based on Laverty’s role as a pilot and businessman in a smaller community like Watertown, it’s likely that the plane was a small, relatively inexpensive model such as the Fairchild Model 24 or a Waco cabin biplane, designed to carry a few passengers in comfort. Such planes were affordable and widely used by private pilots for short-distance, intra-state flights.
- 3D Shipwrecks https://3dshipwrecks.org Interactive models of shipwrecks and historical maritime sites in the Great Lakes.
- Great Lakes Maritime History Project https://greatlakeships.org A comprehensive resource for Great Lakes shipwrecks, including historical data and photographs.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca. Extensive archives with shipwreck data, historical records, and maritime resources.
- Bowling Green State University’s Great Lakes Vessels Database https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels Database of vessels that sailed the Great Lakes, including shipwrecks.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org A searchable archive of shipwreck information compiled by researcher David Swayze.
- Shipwreck Stories https://www.shipwreckstories.com Stories and data about shipwrecks across various waterways, including the Great Lakes.
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks https://saveontarioshipwrecks.ca Organization dedicated to the preservation of Ontario’s underwater heritage, offering dive guides and shipwreck data.
- University of Detroit Mercy Special Collections https://libraries.udmercy.edu/archives/special-collections/?collectionSet=all&collectionCode=gls Special collections archive related to Great Lakes shipwrecks and history.
- Ship Photos https://www.shiphotos.com An archive of historical ship photos, including Great Lakes vessels and wrecks.
- Library and Archives Canada https://library-archives.canada.ca Canada’s national archives, which include a vast collection of ship registrations, images, and historical maritime records
- Library of Congress Web Archive (Great Lakes Maritime Collection) https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0018877/ Archives of maritime history and shipwreck records from the Great Lakes region.
- York University Digital Library (Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections) https://digital.library.yorku.ca/clara-thomas-archives-special-collections/toronto-telegram-fonds Historical maritime records and shipwreck details, focusing on Ontario and surrounding waters.
