IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Henry Folger was a three-masted schooner constructed in 1873 by the skilled shipbuilder S.G. Johnson in Clayton, New York. Originally valued at $12,000 and insured for $10,000, this vessel was designed for the heavy task of transporting goods, including coal, across the Great Lakes. The schooner was robust, with a gross tonnage of 326 tons, and was a staple of the maritime trade routes of the time.
HISTORY #
On November 23, 1882, the Henry Folger departed from Cleveland, Ohio, carrying a cargo of 693 tons of coal bound for Brockville, Ontario. The coal was consigned to P.D. Conger for the Grand Trunk Railway Company. As the schooner traversed Lake Ontario, it encountered severe weather conditions, including a fierce snowstorm and gale, which ultimately led to the vessel’s demise.
As the Henry Folger neared Long Point at the head of Lake Ontario, the weather turned treacherous. The combination of the storm’s intensity and the heavy load made the vessel unmanageable. The schooner was driven onto the notorious Salmon Point Reef, a location infamous for its dangerous shoals. Despite desperate attempts by the crew to save the vessel, the Henry Folger began to break apart under the relentless pounding of the waves.
By the morning of December 1, the ship was found about three-quarters of a mile from shore, with its mizzen mast gone and the stern severely damaged. A volunteer rescue crew made valiant efforts to reach the stranded sailors, but the gale and rough seas thwarted their attempts. Tragically, all eight crew members aboard the Henry Folger perished in the disaster.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Henry Folger was declared a total loss after the incident. Only three bodies, including those of Captain James W. MacDonald and First Mate Watson Wiley, were recovered, mangled by the rocks and surf, a testament to the storm’s unforgiving power. The schooner was ultimately abandoned, and the wreckage served as a somber reminder of the dangers inherent in Great Lakes shipping.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No relevant Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently in effect for this wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The Henry Folger wreckage was discovered in December 1882, soon after the ship was declared lost off Salmon Point Reef, Lake Ontario.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreckage of the Henry Folger likely remains scattered and broken apart near Salmon Point Reef. Due to the depth and the storm damage, diving to this site would be challenging and potentially dangerous. It is also a site of historical significance, marking a tragic chapter in maritime history.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, December 3, 1882
- Inter Ocean Casualty List, December 1, 1882
- Republican Watchman, 8 December 1882, Page 6
KEYWORDS #
Henry Folger, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Great Lakes Maritime Disaster, Salmon Point Reef, 19th Century Shipping
ANALYSIS #
The loss of the Henry Folger underscores the perils faced by vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during the unpredictable winter months. The combination of fierce weather and the heavy cargo load made the vessel vulnerable, despite the crew’s best efforts to navigate through the storm. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for strict adherence to loading regulations and the importance of accurate weather forecasting, even today. The Henry Folger’s story also highlights the risks undertaken by mariners in the pursuit of commerce, often at the cost of their lives. The loss of life in this disaster had a profound impact on the maritime communities around Lake Ontario, particularly in Clayton and Cape Vincent, New York.
