Orestes (1870)

Vessel Type Description #

The Orestes was a wooden schooner, a popular vessel type during the late 19th century, particularly for transporting bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners were designed for both speed and efficiency, usually equipped with two or three masts. They were crucial to the commercial trade networks of the region, capable of moving large amounts of cargo efficiently. However, like many other wooden schooners of the time, they were vulnerable to collisions and weather-related challenges, especially in the congested and treacherous waters of Lake Ontario.

History #

The Orestes was launched in 1870, and in its short two years of service, it operated as a typical cargo schooner on the Great Lakes. While specific details of its trade routes and cargo are not well-documented, the vessel likely transported goods such as coal, timber, or grain, which were common commodities moved by schooners at the time.

In 1872, during an ill-fated voyage, the Orestes was involved in a collision with another vessel while navigating Lake Ontario. Collisions were common on the Great Lakes due to the high density of traffic, especially in busy shipping lanes. Factors like poor visibility in fog or storms, along with navigational hazards, made collisions a frequent occurrence. The identity of the other vessel involved in the collision is not recorded, and the exact details of the incident remain unclear.

Despite efforts to save the schooner, the damage from the collision was too severe, and the Orestes sank to the bottom of Lake Ontario. There are no reports of cargo recovery or lives lost, but the sinking marked the end of the vessel’s brief career.

Final Disposition #

The Orestes sank in 1872 following a collision in Lake Ontario. The ship was declared a total loss, and there is no record of any recovery attempts for the cargo or salvage operations following the wreck.

Located By & Date

As of today, the wreck of the Orestes has not been definitively located. The exact location of the wreck remains unknown, and it has not been identified on modern nautical charts or through underwater exploration efforts.

NOTMARs & Advisories #

•There are no specific NOTMARs (Notices to Mariners) associated with the wreck of the Orestes.

•Modern navigators should remain cautious in Lake Ontario, as the region remains a busy shipping area. The risks of collisions and sudden weather changes, which were factors in the sinking of the Orestes, still exist today.

Current Condition & Accessibility #

The Orestes has yet to be located, and its current condition remains unknown. Given the extended period it has spent submerged since 1872, the wreck is likely in a state of significant decay. Its undiscovered location means it is currently inaccessible to divers or researchers.

Resources & Links #

• •Great Lakes Maritime History: Offers a rich archive of records and historical documents related to shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: A searchable database with over 5,000 entries of shipwrecks, including detailed data on vessel types, loss dates, and locations.
• 3D Shipwrecks: Provides 3D models and sonar images of shipwrecks, with detailed documentation of underwater sites across the Great Lakes.
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Dedicated to preserving and protecting Ontario’s shipwrecks through exploration, research, and community engagement.

Conclusion #

The Orestes was one of many wooden schooners lost in the crowded and perilous waters of Lake Ontario during the 19th century. Its sinking after a collision highlights the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, where busy shipping routes, adverse weather conditions, and the inherent limitations of navigation made accidents all too common. Though its career was brief, the Orestes remains a part of Lake Ontario’s rich maritime history, its wreckage still undiscovered, contributing to the many mysteries beneath the lake’s surface.

This report outlines the fate of the Orestes, emphasizing the hazards of 19th-century navigation on the Great Lakes and the lasting mysteries of its shipwreck. Let me know if further details or additional wreck reports are needed!