IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Addie Membery was a wooden schooner (sometimes referred to as a sloop) constructed in 1885 in Sacketts Harbor, New York. The vessel was designed for carrying cargo, with a length of 59 feet, a beam of 15 feet, and a depth of 6 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 42.48 tons and a net tonnage of 40.36 tons. The schooner was powered by two masts, which made it a capable vessel for transporting goods across Lake Ontario and other connected waterways.
HISTORY #
The Addie Membery embarked on various voyages under the ownership of Barney Eveleigh, a resident of Sacketts Harbor. The vessel played a role in the active maritime trade on the Great Lakes, carrying valuable cargo between ports. One of its most notable and tragic voyages occurred in October 1885, only a few months after the schooner was launched.
THE FINAL VOYAGE AND WRECK #
In October 1885, the Addie Membery was transporting a cargo of 100,000 feet of lumber from Brockville, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. As the vessel neared the harbor entrance in Oswego, it encountered a severe storm. The weather conditions were harsh, with strong winds and rough seas making navigation difficult.
Tragically, as the schooner approached the harbor, it struck the pier at the entrance to Oswego Harbor. The impact caused the vessel to drift uncontrollably, and it was eventually pounded to pieces against the old pier. Despite the total loss of the vessel and its cargo, the crew members were fortunate to survive the ordeal.
The Addie Membery was valued at $3,000, but it was not insured, making the loss a significant financial blow to its owner, Barney Eveleigh, and others involved in the operation. The captain of the schooner, John Bailey, also hailed from Sacketts Harbor and was a key figure in the vessel’s final voyage.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Addie Membery was completely destroyed in the storm after striking the pier at Oswego Harbor. The vessel and its cargo of lumber were lost, with the remains of the schooner scattered in the harbor area. The wreck marked the end of the vessel’s brief service on the Great Lakes.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Addie Membery. The incident remains a historical reminder of the dangers faced by vessels navigating the often-treacherous waters of Lake Ontario during the 19th century.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Addie Membery has not been specifically located or documented by modern underwater surveys, and its exact resting place within Oswego Harbor remains unknown.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Given the violent nature of the wreck and the fact that the vessel was pounded to pieces, it is likely that little remains of the Addie Membery. Any remnants would be scattered and heavily deteriorated, making them difficult to locate or access.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
For further information on the Addie Membery and the events of October 1885, the following resources were referenced:
- Buffalo Daily Republic, October 30, 1885
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website
- Great Lakes Ships Website, C Patrick Labadie Collection
