3d Model by Shotliine Diving #
The steamship Martha Ogden holds a significant place in Great Lakes maritime history. Constructed in 1819 at Sackets Harbor, just two years after the completion of the first steamship on the Great Lakes, the S.S. Ontario, the Martha Ogden remained in service until its tragic loss in 1832.
On the fateful afternoon of November 12, 1832, Captain William Vaughn commanded the Martha Ogden as it departed Oswego on its return trip to Sackets Harbor. However, the ship encountered a violent gale from the South, making it impossible to regain the safety of Oswego’s port. The relentless storm caused the ship’s seams to open, forcing the crew to extinguish the fires in the boiler. In an attempt to continue the journey under sail, the crew raised the sails, hoping to navigate through the turbulent weather.
Unfortunately, the wind changed direction, first veering from the South to the Southwest and then shifting to the West, Northwest, and finally the North. This shift prevented the Martha Ogden from passing Stony Point, turning the Ellisburg coast into a dangerous lee shore. Recognizing the perilous situation of being driven ashore, Captain Vaughn dropped both anchors in waters measuring eight and a half fathoms (approximately 51 feet) in depth. The anchors held until 4 to 11 PM when their cables successively parted. Shortly thereafter, the ship struck and stranded in a mere ten feet of water.
Amidst the chaos, one brave seaman volunteered to swim ashore with a light line, facing great danger to accomplish the task. He reached the shore, approximately eight rods (132 feet) from the stranded ship, and rallied the local inhabitants. Together, they built massive bonfires to provide light and warmth during the dark night. The following morning, a sturdy line with a pulley and a Dutch harness rigged with a three-bushel basket allowed all twenty-two passengers and six sailors to be safely transported to the shore.
Captain Vaughn remained on board as the last person to leave the doomed vessel. Throughout the afternoon, the relentless pounding of high seas caused the stranded steamer to break up and be destroyed. This maritime disaster occurred in Nuttings Bay, situated on the coast of Henderson.
The Martha Ogden, owned and operated by S. & L. Denison, is regarded as the second American steamship to navigate the Great Lakes. On calm days, remnants of the ship can still be observed not far from the shore. For further details regarding the wreck, Johnson’s Chancery Reports, Chapter IV, page 148 provides additional information.
Accounts of the Martha Ogden’s wreck vary, with some sources stating that the ship was heading from Sackets Harbor to Oswego, while others claim the opposite. Regardless of the direction, the ship had sprung a leak, forcing the crew to extinguish the fires and rely on sail power. Unfortunately, the wind direction on that ill-fated afternoon hindered the ship from maneuvering around Stony Point. Despite attempts to anchor, the Martha Ogden was ultimately blown into shallow waters of approximately ten feet and grounded sometime after 11:00 PM on November 12th.
The crew consisted of six crew members, and there were twenty-two passengers on board. In a remarkable display of bravery and resourcefulness, a man successfully reached the shore and alerted locals to the distress. Together, they built fires to provide light and warmth. By morning, a line was passed to the shore, and all those on board were safely drawn ashore using a three-bushel basket rigged on a line with a Dutch harness.
Captain Vaughn remained on board until all others were safely ashore, exemplifying his dedication and commitment to his duties. Sadly, the Martha Ogden
, owned by S. & L. Denison of Sackets Harbor, suffered irreparable damage and was declared a total loss as a result of the wreck. The story of the Martha Ogden serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by early steamships navigating the Great Lakes.
YouTube Video #
External Links #
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Thousand Island Life Magazine Article
- Great Lakes Maritime History
- Rochester History Oct 1954
Rules to Shore Dive by #
- Pick up after yourselves and others if need be
- Take only pictures, memories, and trash off the bottom
- Many shore dive sites are busiest on weekends so plan ahead
- Remember you’re the ambassador for the sport when approached by onlookers and locals. Paying attention and being polite can lead to other opportunities and locations.
- Have fun and lots of it after all that’s why you are there just like underwater beware of others around you for both positive and negative experiences
- If you’re the guy with the camera, video, or go pro, take a minute to show those outside your group what’s underneath.
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