IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The vessel involved in this tragic incident was a sailing yacht owned by Frank S. Salzer, vice-president of the Perfection Shoe Company. The yacht’s specific dimensions, tonnage, and construction details are not provided, but it was a wooden sailing craft, typical of recreational yachts used on the Great Lakes during this period. The yacht was engaged in a return journey from Oswego to Rochester, New York, when it encountered a severe storm on Lake Ontario.
HISTORY #
On July 6, 1913, a party of six men embarked on a return journey from Oswego to Rochester aboard a sailing yacht. The group consisted of Peter A. Blattner, Cornelius W. Coughlin, Frank S. Salzer, Alexander T. Lemmon, Frank A. McCullough, and Edward J. Keele. Unfortunately, their voyage was abruptly interrupted by a fierce storm that struck Lake Ontario.
As the storm intensified, high waves began to batter the yacht. The vessel struggled against the onslaught of the waves until it was finally broken in two, leaving the men at the mercy of the turbulent waters. The first to be lost were Frank S. Salzer, who was piloting the yacht, and Alexander T. Lemmon. Both men were thrown overboard by a powerful wave and drowned after a brief struggle.
The remaining four men clung to the wreckage as it drifted further out into the lake. The wreckage continued to break apart, and soon Frank A. McCullough was left on a separate piece of the yacht. He attempted to swim ashore for help but disappeared in the waves before he could reach safety.
A sudden shift in the wind began to push the remaining wreckage and the three survivors—Peter A. Blattner, Cornelius W. Coughlin, and Edward J. Keele—toward the shore. As the wreck neared the beach, Keele, exhausted and desperate, jumped from the wreckage in an attempt to reach land. Tragically, just as he leaped, a large wave lifted the wreckage and hurled it onto the shore, crushing Keele under the heavy timbers and killing him instantly.
Blattner and Coughlin, the only survivors, were eventually rescued but were found to be dangerously ill from their ordeal. Their experience left them hovering between life and death as they recovered from the effects of prolonged exposure to the elements and the trauma of the disaster.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The yacht was completely destroyed by the storm, with the wreckage washing ashore approximately six miles east of Sodus Bay. The vessel was a total loss, and the incident resulted in the deaths of four men: Frank S. Salzer, Alexander T. Lemmon, Frank A. McCullough, and Edward J. Keele. The loss of life and destruction of the yacht underscored the dangers of sudden storms on the Great Lakes, even for experienced sailors.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to this 1913 yacht wreck. However, mariners on Lake Ontario should always be aware of the potential for sudden and severe weather conditions, particularly during the summer months.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the yacht was discovered shortly after the incident as it washed ashore near Sodus Bay. The exact location of the wreckage has not been preserved or documented in detail, and no further exploration or recovery efforts were made.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreckage of the yacht was destroyed in the storm and subsequently washed ashore. Given the circumstances, it is unlikely that any remains of the yacht still exist. The site is not accessible for diving or exploration, as the wreckage was scattered along the shoreline and presumably removed or decayed over time.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
For further information on the 1913 yacht wreck, the following resources were referenced:
