Henri Rooney (Henry Rooney)

Identification & Site Information

Name: Henri Rooney (also known as Henry Rooney)
Type: Brigantine
Year Built: 1868
Builder: Garden Island, Ontario
Dimensions: Length: 136 feet (41.5 meters) Beam: 25 feet (7.6 meters) Depth of Hold: 11 feet (3.35 meters)
Tonnage: 295 Gross Tonnage
Final Voyage: October 24, 1879
Final Location of Wreck: Approximately 3 miles east of Charlotte, New York, Lake Ontario
Condition: Sunk due to heavy seas; cargo lost; deemed a Total Loss
Casualties: 1 life lost
Coordinates & Mapping
Bow: 43° 15’ 46.8”N, 77° 33’ 26.0”W
Stern: 43° 15’ 45.7”N, 77° 33’ 25.2”W
Depth: Approximately 12 metres (40 feet)
Dive Type: Recreational / Historical Documentation

Table of Contents

Description

The Henri Rooney was a wooden Brigantine built in 1868 at Garden Island, Ontario, specifically designed for Great Lakes trade. This two-masted vessel was built for carrying bulk cargo such as limestone and lath, materials vital to the construction industry of the 19th century. At 136 feet in length, she was an average-sized Brigantine of her time, with a reputation for speed and durability.

Her career was eventful, including multiple groundings and an infamous record passage through the Welland Canal in just 12 hours and 20 minutes, the fastest recorded by a sailing vessel at the time. However, her luck ran out on October 24, 1879, when she sprung a leak during a fierce northwest gale off Charlotte, New York.

Efforts to save her failed, and although 10 crew members escaped, Charlotte Fisk, the cook from Buffalo, tragically drowned — sparking harsh criticism in newspapers accusing the crew of abandoning her. Captain J.H. Radford later defended their actions, recounting desperate efforts to alert her and save the ship before it Foundered. The vessel ultimately came to rest in approximately 40 feet of water, with her bow and Stern partially exposed, while the midsection appears buried in mud.

Final Voyage and Sinking

On October 24, 1879, the Henri Rooney embarked on its final journey, heavily loaded with limestone and lathe. Rough seas east of Charlotte, New York, caused the vessel to spring a leak. The crew’s efforts to save the ship were in vain, as the leaking worsened and the ship began taking on water rapidly. Tragically, the ship sank, resulting in the loss of one crew member. The wreck and its cargo were deemed irrecoverable, marking the ship’s end in the cold waters of Lake Ontario.

Legacy and Significance

The sinking of the Henri Rooney highlights the perilous nature of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation. Mariners faced constant threats from sudden storms, rough seas, and the limitations of contemporary shipbuilding technologies. This tragedy is part of a larger narrative of the hazards that shaped maritime commerce during the industrial age.

Though the precise location of the Henri Rooney wreck remains uncertain, it is part of the region’s rich maritime heritage. The ship’s story underscores the sacrifices made by sailors and the critical role of Great Lakes shipping in economic development during the 19th century.

Final Disposition

Total Loss — Foundered, October 24, 1879. Cargo and vessel uninsured.

Located By & Date Found

Located in recent years by local divers including Dan Scoville.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Visibility: Typically very poor — 1 to 4 metres (3-15 feet), depending on season and temperature
Hazards: Mud burial of midsection, potential entanglement in collapsed structure, debris from nearby wrecked houseboat reported in past

Site Access & Launch Directions

Irondequoit Bay Inlet: 2.09 miles at 144° from the wreck Google Maps Link
Charlotte Boat Ramp: 2.67 miles at 77° from the wreck. Google Maps Link
Closest Shoreline: 1.62 miles to shore at Sea Breeze, NY

Resources & Links

David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
Maritime History of the Great Lakes: In-depth historical data on Great Lakes vessels and their fates.
Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel information and related archives.
Local Historical Records and Newspaper Archives: Valuable context for the Henri Rooney’s operations and demise.
Correspondence – SLD and Aaron Newman

Conclusion

The Henri Rooney stands as a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the challenges of inland navigation during the 19th century. While the Brigantine’s final resting place may remain undiscovered, its story endures as a significant chapter in Lake Ontario’s maritime history, offering insights into the era’s economic and industrial transformations.

Keywords Henri Rooney, Brigantine, Shipwreck, Lake Ontario, Charlotte NY, Maritime History, Great Lakes Commerce, 19th Century Shipping, Limestone Transport, Shipbuilding at Garden Island.

Youtube Gallery by AARON NEWMAN. with great thanks