IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Martha Ogden was one of the early steamships constructed for navigation on the Great Lakes, built just two years after the first steamship, the S.S. Ontario. The Martha Ogden was a wooden vessel powered by a steam engine, measuring 104 feet in length. Steamships like the Martha Ogden were crucial in the development of commerce and transportation on the Great Lakes, marking a significant shift from sail-powered vessels to steam propulsion.
HISTORY #
The Martha Ogden was constructed in 1819 at Sackets Harbor, New York, a strategic naval and shipbuilding location during the War of 1812 and afterward. Owned by S. & L. Denison of Sackets Harbor, the steamship played a vital role in the early steam navigation of the Great Lakes, carrying passengers and cargo across the waters.
On November 12, 1832, the Martha Ogden, under the command of Captain William Vaughn, departed Oswego on its return trip to Sackets Harbor. Unfortunately, the steamship encountered a violent gale from the south, which escalated into a life-threatening situation. The storm forced the crew to extinguish the boiler fires as the ship began taking on water, making it necessary to raise sails in an attempt to navigate through the storm.
As the wind direction shifted multiple times, the Martha Ogden was driven towards the dangerous lee shore near Stoney Point. Captain Vaughn dropped anchors in a desperate attempt to hold the ship, but the cables eventually parted, and the vessel struck the shore, grounding in about ten feet of water.
Despite the perilous conditions, one crew member bravely swam ashore with a light line, alerting local inhabitants. The locals built bonfires to guide and warm the stranded passengers and crew. By the following morning, all 22 passengers and six crew members were safely brought ashore using a makeshift pulley system and a Dutch harness rigged with a three-bushel basket.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Martha Ogden was declared a total loss after it was stranded and subsequently destroyed by the relentless pounding of high seas in Nuttings Bay. The ship broke apart and was irreparably damaged, marking the end of its service on the Great Lakes. The wreckage remains in the shallow waters near Henderson Harbour, where remnants of the vessel can still be observed on calm days.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SITE #
The loss of the Martha Ogden is a significant event in the maritime history of the Great Lakes, highlighting the challenges and dangers faced by early steamship navigation. The wreck serves as a reminder of the bravery and resourcefulness of the crew and passengers, particularly the heroic actions of Captain Vaughn, who ensured that everyone on board was safely brought ashore before leaving the vessel himself.
The site of the wreck is an important archaeological resource, offering insights into early 19th-century steamship construction and the perils of navigating Lake Ontario during that era. The shallow waters and accessibility of the wreck make it a valuable site for study and preservation.
FUTURE EXPLORATION AND PRESERVATION #
The wreck of the Martha Ogden warrants further exploration to document and preserve the remnants of this early steamship. Given the historical significance of the vessel, efforts should be made to protect the site from unauthorized disturbances and to conduct thorough archaeological surveys. Preservation of the site would contribute to a greater understanding of the early steam navigation on the Great Lakes.
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RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships – A comprehensive resource for information on shipwrecks and maritime history on the Great Lakes.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File – A database of shipwrecks, including the Martha Ogden.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Provides detailed records and narratives related to shipwrecks like the Martha Ogden.
- Thousand Island Life Magazine Article – Features articles on maritime history in the Thousand Islands region.
- Rochester History Oct 1954 – A publication that includes historical accounts of shipwrecks and maritime incidents on Lake Ontario.
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