DENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Caroline Marsh was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was prevalent on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners like the Caroline Marsh were primarily used for transporting cargo, and this vessel was specifically involved in carrying coal. With dimensions of 102 feet in length, 23.5 feet in width, and 10.4 feet in depth, and a tonnage of 221 tons, the Caroline Marsh was a mid-sized vessel, aptly suited for the commercial demands of the time, particularly in the busy trade routes between Ontario and other Great Lakes ports.
HISTORY #
The Caroline Marsh was built in 1852 in Port Hope, Ontario, and for nearly four decades, it served as a reliable vessel on the Great Lakes. The schooner was engaged in the transportation of various goods, including coal, which was a staple commodity of the era. The Caroline Marsh was well-known on the lakes, representing the resilience and reliability of 19th-century maritime trade vessels.
On November 3, 1890, the Caroline Marsh was en route to Toronto with a cargo of coal. During her voyage, she encountered difficult conditions and attempted to return to the harbor after the weather briefly cleared. As the schooner approached Oswego, New York, she ran aground near Fort Ontario.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Caroline Marsh met her end when she became stranded near Fort Ontario. Despite efforts to save the vessel, including assistance from the tug Cummings and rescue attempts by the Oswego Life-savers, the schooner could not withstand the severe weather conditions. The towline from the Cummings parted, and the Caroline Marsh drifted onto the rocks near the life-saving station. Although the crew was successfully rescued, the schooner began to break apart under the relentless pounding of the waves. Eventually, the Caroline Marsh went to pieces, marking the end of her long service on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are currently no Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the wreck of the Caroline Marsh. The wreckage has long since disintegrated and no longer poses a hazard to navigation.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Caroline Marsh was never specifically located as a complete site due to the nature of her destruction. The vessel went to pieces near the shore, and thus, there likely isn’t a cohesive wreck site.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Shipwreck File by David Swayze
- Great Lakes Maritime History
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries
CONCLUSION #
The story of the Caroline Marsh encapsulates the challenges faced by 19th-century schooners on the Great Lakes. Her final voyage, marred by difficult weather and mechanical failures, illustrates the perilous nature of maritime trade during this era. Though the schooner was lost, the successful rescue of her crew highlights the bravery and effectiveness of the life-saving services of the time. The wreck of the Caroline Marsh, though largely scattered and lost, remains a part of Great Lakes maritime history.
#
Caroline Marsh Great Lakes shipwreck 19th-century schooner Coal transport Maritime history Oswego shipwreck
