ELLEN BRONSON (1835)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Name: Ellen Bronson (also known as Eton Bronson) Other Names: Eton Bronson Type: Schooner Built: 1835, Three Mile Bay, New York, or Point Peninsula Tonnage: 103 tons Final Resting Place: Oswego, New York

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Ellen Bronson was a wooden-hulled schooner built in 1835, designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Ellen Bronson were commonly used during the 19th century, and their design allowed for efficient sailing in the variable conditions of the Great Lakes. With a tonnage of 103 tons, the vessel was medium-sized for its era.

HISTORY #

The Ellen Bronson was constructed in 1835 at either Three Mile Bay, New York, or Point Peninsula. Throughout its years of service, the schooner operated on the Great Lakes, contributing to the busy trade routes that were vital for the regional economy. The vessel did not have an official number, as it predates the implementation of such registration systems.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

On July 6, 1853, the Ellen Bronson met its tragic end when it caught fire while moored near the lower bridge in Oswego, New York. The fire that consumed the schooner was part of the “Great Fire” of Oswego, a devastating event that caused widespread destruction in the area.

The fire completely destroyed the Ellen Bronson, leading to its total loss. The exact number of lives lost in the incident is unreported, and there are no specific details regarding the cargo the schooner was carrying at the time of the fire.

POST-LOSS RECOVERY #

In May 1855, the city authorities of Oswego ordered the raising and dismantling of the Ellen Bronson. The vessel was salvaged from its submerged state and dismantled, marking the end of its history as a Great Lakes schooner.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck was salvaged and dismantled in May 1855 under the direction of city authorities, so no modern discovery or identification is associated with the remains of the Ellen Bronson.