IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Unidentified Oswego 10 is presumed to be a mid-19th-century wooden schooner or small cargo vessel. Such ships were common on Lake Ontario during that era, typically used for transporting goods such as grain, timber, and other commodities between ports. The wreck’s structure suggests it was a functional vessel designed for practicality and utility rather than luxury or speed.
HISTORY #
The history of the Unidentified Oswego 10 remains elusive due to the lack of unique identifying features on the wreck. Mid-19th-century schooners were the workhorses of the Great Lakes, often constructed quickly and without elaborate detail, which makes distinguishing one from another particularly challenging.
Oswego, New York, was a significant port during the 19th century, serving as a hub for trade and transportation on Lake Ontario. Numerous schooners and small cargo vessels would have regularly sailed to and from this port, carrying a variety of goods to support the burgeoning industries and populations around the Great Lakes.
The vessel’s current state suggests it may have met its end during one of the many storms that frequently swept across Lake Ontario, or perhaps through a collision with another vessel or the rocky shoreline near Oswego. However, without more distinct features or records, the exact circumstances of its sinking remain speculative.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The wreck of the Unidentified Oswego 10 lies undisturbed near Oswego, New York, resting within recreational diving limits at an estimated depth of 10 fathoms (18.3 meters / 60 feet). The vessel is partially intact, with sections of the hull and cargo areas still visible. The identity of the ship remains unknown, and it is one of the many unidentified shipwrecks that dot the bottom of Lake Ontario.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
- Discovered By: Local divers/researchers; specific details of the discovery are unclear
- Date of Discovery: Not precisely documented
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No formal notices to mariners (NOTMARs) have been issued for this site, as it is not widely recognized as a significant navigational hazard. However, divers should exercise caution when exploring the site due to the potential for entanglement or the presence of unstable structures.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- 3D Shipwrecks
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
Conclusion #
The Unidentified Oswego 10 stands as a silent witness to the bustling maritime activity that once characterized Lake Ontario. Its story, though largely unknown, is a part of the broader tapestry of Great Lakes history, where countless ships braved the waters, many of them meeting their end in the lake’s depths. The wreck remains a point of interest for divers and researchers, offering a glimpse into the past and the enduring mysteries of the Great Lakes.
Lake Ontario
Oswego
Unidentified Shipwreck
Wooden Schooner
Mid-19th Century
Great Lakes Maritime History
Recreational Diving
