CRESCO U126020

3 min read

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Vessel Name: Cresco Year Built: 1882 Type of Wreck: Steam-Powered Propeller Vessel Final Location: Ogdensburg, NY, St. Lawrence River Depth: Information not available GPS Coordinates: Specific coordinates are not provided

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Cresco was a steam-powered propeller vessel with a wooden hull, built in 1882 in Ogdensburg, New York. It was powered by a single high-pressure engine manufactured by Sutton Brothers in Buffalo, NY, featuring one cylinder and one propeller. The engine’s specifications included dimensions of 12 x 12 inches, providing 165 horsepower at 160 revolutions per minute. The vessel was also equipped with a firebox boiler measuring 4 feet 6 inches by 9 feet, operating at a steam pressure of 120 pounds.

DIMENSIONS AND TONNAGE #

Length: 75 feet
Beam: 17 feet
Depth: 5 feet
Gross Tonnage: 62 tons
Net Tonnage: 36.57 tons

HISTORY #

The Cresco had a storied history with multiple ownership changes and notable incidents. After its construction in 1882, the vessel was initially owned by S.A. Cline of Ogdensburg, NY, in 1884. By 1885, it was enrolled in Waddington, NY. The Cresco faced harsh winter conditions when it became frozen in ice in Brockville, Ontario, in January 1880. A decade later, in January 1890, it suffered damage during a storm on the river in Ogdensburg.

By 1899, the vessel had changed hands to J.W. Hatch of Waddington, NY, and was primarily engaged in river work. Despite its resilience in the face of various challenges, the Cresco met a tragic end when it was consumed by fire in October 1908. The incident occurred in its final location in Ogdensburg, NY, on the St. Lawrence River. Unfortunately, the exact circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Cresco was destroyed by fire in October 1908 while docked in Ogdensburg, NY. The fire marked the end of the vessel’s operational life and its contributions to river transportation.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Cresco wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The exact wreck site of the Cresco has not been extensively documented, and further research may be required to pinpoint its remains.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Due to the nature of its destruction by fire, the remains of the Cresco are likely minimal, with little left to be seen. The vessel’s final resting place is near Ogdensburg, NY, in the St. Lawrence River, but the site has not been widely explored or documented.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

KEYWORDS #

Steam Propeller, Cresco, Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence River, Wooden Hull, Shipwreck, 19th Century

ANALYSIS #

The Cresco exemplifies the challenges faced by steam-powered vessels on the St. Lawrence River during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its robust construction and powerful engine, the vessel encountered numerous difficulties, including harsh weather conditions and eventual destruction by fire. The Cresco‘s history underscores the hazards of river transportation during that era, as well as the resilience required to navigate these waterways. Its ultimate fate as a casualty of fire serves as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of even the most well-constructed vessels.