In a major milestone for Great Lakes maritime archaeology, researchers have identified the wreck of the wooden steam tug Philip Becker, lost in a fierce Lake Ontario storm in November 1879. Located in deep water off Oswego, New York, the wreck was originally discovered in 2022 and recently confirmed and documented in 2025 by NOAA, the University of Rhode Island, and the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute.
The Becker was one of several tugs towing dredges and scows for the firm Hickler & Arnold when a blizzard struck on the night of November 16–17. After colliding with a dredge and taking on water, the tug’s crew transferred to the dredge Gordon, which itself sank a few hours later with all hands — including the Becker’s crew. The newly identified wreck shows a collapsed pilot house and the ship’s wheel lying intact on the deck.
The wreck is remarkably well-preserved and lies in technical diving depths, now protected as part of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. NOAA’s 2025 ROV survey provided high-resolution photogrammetry and 3D modeling, which you can explore in the full wreck profile linked below.
The new report includes:
- A detailed historical narrative and loss timeline
- Survivor accounts from 1879 newspaper coverage
- High-resolution site imaging and photogrammetry
- Links to the official NOAA wreck record
- Embedded 3D models from Sonarguy and NOAA/OECI/URI
➡️ Explore the full wreck profile of the Philip Becker and view the 3D models below.
This discovery adds a critical piece to the story of 19th-century tug operations on the Great Lakes and highlights the collaborative success of public-private underwater exploration.
For researchers or technical divers interested in the site, consult NOAA’s access guidelines before planning any activities at the wreck.