Shotline Diving

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Addie Membery US 106360

Explore the tragic story of the Addie Membery, a wooden schooner lost in Oswego Harbor during a fierce storm in 1885.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Addie Membery
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1885
  • Builder: Sacketts Harbor, New York, USA
  • Dimensions: Length: 59 ft (18 m); Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross – 42.48 tons, Net – 40.36 tons
  • Location: Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario, USA
  • Official Number: 106360
  • Original Owners: Barney Eveleigh, Sacketts Harbor, New York
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Addie Membery was a small wooden schooner built for cargo transport. Schooners like the Addie Membery were a common sight on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, designed for efficient navigation and transport of goods across the interconnected waterways. With two masts and a compact size, the Addie Membery was versatile, capable of serving smaller ports and managing cargo such as lumber, grain, and other commodities.

Description

Constructed in Sacketts Harbor, New York, in 1885, the Addie Membery was a relatively new vessel at the time of its loss. Owned by Barney Eveleigh, the schooner participated in the bustling maritime trade on Lake Ontario, carrying valuable cargoes to and from ports in Canada and the United States.

History

In October 1885, the Addie Membery was transporting 100,000 feet of lumber from Brockville, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. The journey took a tragic turn as the schooner approached Oswego Harbor amidst a fierce storm. High winds and rough waves made it nearly impossible for the vessel to safely navigate into the harbor.

As the Addie Membery neared the pier at the harbor entrance, it struck the structure with force, causing the vessel to lose control. Pushed by the storm’s relentless power, the schooner was dashed against the old pier and quickly broke apart. The violent conditions left the vessel scattered across the harbor area.

Though the ship and its cargo were a total loss, the crew, including Captain John Bailey of Sacketts Harbor, miraculously survived the ordeal. The Addie Membery was uninsured, leaving its owner, Barney Eveleigh, to bear the financial blow. The schooner, valued at $3,000, was a significant investment for its time.

Significant Incidents

  • The Addie Membery was lost in October 1885 during a storm while approaching Oswego Harbor.
  • The vessel struck the pier and broke apart due to high winds and rough waves.
  • All crew members survived the incident.

Final Disposition

The Addie Membery was completely destroyed during the storm in October 1885. Its remains were scattered within Oswego Harbor and have not been definitively located by modern surveys. Any surviving fragments of the vessel are likely buried beneath sediment or lost to time.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The violent nature of the wreck and the dispersal of the vessel’s remains make it unlikely that substantial parts of the Addie Membery exist. The wreck’s location in Oswego Harbor remains undocumented, and any remnants would likely be inaccessible or heavily degraded.

Resources & Links

The tragic loss of the Addie Membery highlights the risks faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Though its service life was brief, the schooner’s story is a poignant example of the challenges of maritime trade during this era. The wreck serves as a historical marker of the hazards encountered by vessels on Lake Ontario, especially during unpredictable autumn storms.