Commerce (1816)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Commerce
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1816
• Builder: Throop & Cole, Pultneyville, New York
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 34 tons
• Location: Near “the Fort,” Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
• Original Owners: Captain Ouderkirk

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Commerce was a wooden schooner typical of the early 19th century, built for cargo transportation on the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size and type were integral to regional trade, particularly for the movement of bulk goods such as lumber, grain, and coal. The vessel’s modest tonnage reflects its role in short-haul routes along the lake’s shores.

Description

The Commerce was constructed in 1816 at the Throop & Cole shipyard in Pultneyville, New York. Over its operational life, the vessel served as a cargo carrier, playing a vital role in the economic development of the Great Lakes region. By 1859, the schooner was owned by Captain Ouderkirk, based in the Genesee River area, and regularly transported lumber.

History

On October 5, 1859, the Commerce set out with a cargo of 74,000 board feet of lumber, bound for Oswego harbor. As it approached the harbor, the schooner encountered a northwest gale, which proved too severe for the vessel to manage.

Incident Details:

• The gale damaged the schooner, causing it to lose its rudder.
• Attempts to steer using sails alone were unsuccessful in the turbulent weather.
• Tugboats in the area were called for assistance, but the storm prevented them from reaching the vessel.

Final Moments:

• The Commerce anchored and rode out the storm for three hours.
• Eventually, the anchor failed, dragging the vessel ashore near “the Fort” in Oswego.

Significant Incidents

Impact of Loss:

Cargo Loss:

• The Commerce was carrying 74,000 board feet of lumber, a significant shipment for the time.
• The cargo was uninsured, resulting in a substantial financial loss for Captain Ouderkirk.

No Casualties:

Despite the challenging conditions and ultimate wreck, there were no reported injuries or fatalities.

Final Disposition

The Commerce came to rest ashore near Oswego, New York, at a site colloquially referred to as “the Fort.” The schooner was declared a total loss, though no specific information is available regarding salvage or subsequent removal of the wreck.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Commerce wreck site. The shallow and turbulent waters near Oswego harbor remain historically treacherous, requiring caution from mariners.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Commerce highlights the hazards of 19th-century navigation on the Great Lakes, where sudden storms often left vessels and their crews vulnerable. Despite its tragic end, the Commerce exemplifies the hardworking schooners that shaped the Great Lakes’ maritime history. The loss underscores the risks faced by mariners and the economic challenges posed by uninsured cargo in an era of unpredictable waters.

Resources & Links

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The wreck of the Commerce serves as a reminder of the perils of maritime navigation and the importance of understanding weather conditions when operating on the Great Lakes.