Unidentified D36

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Unidentified D36 is believed to be a schooner or a small sailing vessel based on its structural features. Schooners were popular in the Great Lakes for transporting goods such as lumber, coal, and other materials. The vessel’s design and remnants suggest it was used for similar purposes, typical of the late 19th or early 20th century.

HISTORY #

The Unidentified D36 is a shipwreck discovered in Lake Ontario, lying approximately 55 meters (180 feet) below the surface, near Oswego, New York. Based on the structural features observed, it is believed that this vessel was a schooner or a small sailing vessel. Schooners were among the most popular types of ships on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for their versatility in transporting a wide range of goods, including lumber, coal, and various other materials vital to the regional economy. The design and remnants of the Unidentified D36 suggest that it was used for similar purposes, contributing to the bustling trade that characterized the Great Lakes during this period.

Schooners like the Unidentified D36 played a critical role in the commercial life of the Great Lakes, serving as the primary means of moving large quantities of goods between ports. These vessels were essential to the economic development of cities and towns along the lakes, including Oswego, which was a key hub for maritime trade. The Unidentified D36 would have been part of this extensive network, helping to transport the raw materials and finished goods that fueled the growth of the region. While schooners were renowned for their durability and capacity, they were also vulnerable to the many hazards posed by the unpredictable weather and busy shipping lanes of the Great Lakes.

Unfortunately, little is known about the specific history of the Unidentified D36. The vessel lacks identifying markings, and no records have yet been linked to the wreck, leaving many details of its past shrouded in mystery. The ship was discovered by NOAA during a 2021 survey that aimed to map and document submerged cultural resources in Lake Ontario. Such surveys are crucial for uncovering and preserving the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes, which holds countless stories of the ships and sailors who navigated these waters. The Unidentified D36 likely served as a commercial or transport schooner, operating during a time when the Great Lakes were a vital corridor for trade.

The circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Unidentified D36 are unknown, but it is possible that the vessel was lost due to one of the common hazards of the time. Severe weather, particularly the sudden and violent storms that could sweep across the Great Lakes, was a frequent cause of shipwrecks. Collisions with other vessels or navigational errors could also have contributed to the schooner’s demise. Despite these risks, schooners continued to be the backbone of Great Lakes commerce, their crews braving the dangers in pursuit of their livelihoods.

Today, the wreck of the Unidentified D36 lies intact on the lakebed, though it shows signs of degradation from its long-term submersion. The discovery of the Unidentified D36 adds another chapter to the rich maritime history of Lake Ontario, providing insight into the types of vessels that once dominated these waters and the challenges they faced. Although much about the vessel remains unknown, its presence serves as a reminder of the many ships that sailed the Great Lakes, each contributing to the economic and cultural fabric of the region.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The circumstances surrounding the sinking of the D36 are unknown. It could have been lost due to severe weather, which was a common hazard for sailing vessels on the Great Lakes, or due to a collision or navigational error. The wreck is fairly intact, lying at a depth of about 55 meters (180 feet), though it shows signs of degradation consistent with long-term submersion.NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Unidentified D36.