JOHN A MARSH (1879)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: John Marsh
Official Number: Not documented
Type: Wooden barge
Tonnage: 300 tons
Length: Not documented
Beam: Not documented
Depth: Not documented
Construction: Built in 1879 (four years before its loss)
Builder: Not documented
Owner: Not documented, likely used in cargo transport on the Great Lakes
Location of Wreck: Approximately five miles from Charlotte, Lake Ontario, New York, USA
Depth of Wreck: Exact depth is not documented; the vessel disappeared during the storm
GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical records; specific coordinates are not provided

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The John Marsh was a barge with a tonnage of 300, built just four years before its loss in 1883. The barge was a relatively new vessel at the time, with a wooden hull typical of the barges used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel was valued at $3,500 to $4,000 at the time of its loss, indicating its significance as a cargo carrier on Lake Ontario.

The John Marsh was part of a tow of barges that included the Pacific and Eugene, being pulled by the tug Caribeen from Montreal to Fair Haven. Despite being a sturdy vessel, the John Marsh met with disaster during a severe gale on Lake Ontario, leading to its tragic loss.

HISTORY #

On October 22, 1883, a distress signal was spotted by the captain of the tug Barons at around 5 o’clock in the morning, approximately five miles from Charlotte on Lake Ontario. The signal led the Barons to the barge Pacific, which was found drifting helplessly on the lake, having lost its rudder and sustained significant damage to its side.

The John Marsh was part of a towline being pulled by the tug Caribeen along with the Pacific, Eugene, and another barge. The tow was en route from Montreal to Fair Haven when it was caught in a severe gale on Lake Ontario. The intense storm caused the towline to break, and the barges began to drift apart.

During the chaos, the Pacific collided with one of the other barges, resulting in significant damage to both vessels. The light on the John Marsh was seen to disappear within five minutes of the collision, and the vessel was never seen again. It was presumed to have sunk with all hands on board, including three men and one woman. The names of the crew members were not recorded, but their loss was keenly felt.

The Eugene managed to hoist its sails and safely reached port, while the Caribeen sought refuge in Oswego and later arrived in Charlotte to retrieve the Pacific. Reports from the time indicated that Lake Ontario experienced exceptionally rough conditions during that Saturday and Sunday, making navigation treacherous.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The John Marsh was declared a total loss on Lake Ontario, with the barge and its crew of four perishing in the storm. The vessel’s value was estimated at $3,500, and it was considered a significant loss to the Great Lakes shipping community. The John Marsh was relatively new, being only four years old at the time of its sinking, and its loss underscored the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes.

The Pacific, despite the damage sustained, was eventually recovered, but the John Marsh was lost without a trace. Its exact resting place remains unknown, and the circumstances of its sinking were recorded in various maritime reports of the time.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the John Marsh. However, the waters of Lake Ontario, particularly during storms, have long been recognized as challenging for navigation.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck of the John Marsh has not been located, and it is presumed lost in the deep waters of Lake Ontario. The last known sighting was five miles from Charlotte, but the vessel disappeared shortly after the storm took hold.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given that the John Marsh was lost in 1883 and has never been located, the wreck is likely in a deteriorated state, if any remains exist at all. The site is not accessible to divers or researchers due to its unknown location.