Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: Washington (later renamed Lady Washington)
Vessel Type: Schooner (originally built as a sloop)
Year Built: 1797
Builder: Eliphalet Beebe, Connecticut carpenter
Construction Site: Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
Dimensions: Carrying capacity of 36 tons
Ownership: Pennsylvania Population Company
Flag: United States, later British (as Lady Washington)
Location of Wreck: Near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
Coordinates: Approximate – Latitude 43.43638, Longitude -76.70535
Depth: ~500 ft (~152 m)

Summary

The Washington was constructed in 1797 by Eliphalet Beebe near Erie, Pennsylvania, as the first sloop on Lake Erie. Commissioned by the Pennsylvania Population Company, it served to transport settlers and cargo. Later converted into a schooner, it was moved overland to Lake Ontario where it operated under British registry as Lady Washington.

The vessel sank in a gale on November 6, 1803, after departing Kingston, Ontario, for Niagara. Wreckage washed ashore near Oswego, New York, and all hands were lost. It remains the oldest known commercial sailing ship built and operated on the Great Lakes.

Wreck Discovery

Originally discovered in 2016 by Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, and Roland Stevens using sonar, the wreck lies upright with its mast and bowsprit preserved. On July 9, 2025, the site was revisited by the Sonarguy team, who confirmed the identity and captured a full 3D model of the Washington during a follow-up dive on July 11.

“It appeared to have a mast still standing as well as a bowsprit clearly visible on the sonar scan. We did an ROV dive on it that same day and immediately recognized it as the Washington…” — Sonarguy.com (source)

Read all about the Lady Washington on SLD