Commodore Owen

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Commodore Owen
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length, beam, and depth not specified
• Registered Tonnage: Not documented
• Location: Near Oak Orchard, approximately 40 miles below Niagara, Lake Ontario, USA
• Coordinates: Approximate location; specific coordinates not available
• Official Number: Not documented
• Original Owners: Captain Sinclair
• Number of Masts: Two masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Commodore Owen was a wooden schooner, typical of the early 19th-century Great Lakes sailing vessels. These schooners were primarily used for cargo transport between key ports such as Kingston and York (now Toronto). While specific construction details remain unknown, the vessel was designed for efficient navigation across the often challenging waters of Lake Ontario. It was captained by Captain Sinclair, known for his careful and methodical approach to navigation.

Description

In November 1820, the Commodore Owen departed Kingston, Ontario, bound for York, carrying an unspecified cargo. During the journey, a severe gale accompanied by heavy snowfall struck Lake Ontario, creating treacherous conditions that proved fatal for many vessels during this storm.

Despite Captain Sinclair’s experience, the Commodore Owen struck ground near Oak Orchard, approximately 40 miles below Niagara. In a desperate bid to save the vessel, the crew dropped anchors, but the storm’s power forced Captain Sinclair to slip the cable, attempting to drive the schooner closer to shore. The vessel began taking on water, forcing the crew and passengers to abandon ship.

History

The 13 individuals on board, including crew and passengers, endured freezing conditions and exposure to the storm’s fury. They eventually reached shore safely, though shaken by the harrowing experience. The cargo, largely ruined by exposure, was salvaged to the extent possible, but much was lost.

Captain Sinclair later expressed uncertainty about the cause of the wreck. He had been vigilant, checking the compass regularly and ensuring the helmsman followed a course to York. He speculated that compass error, a widely debated issue among sailors during snowstorms, might have contributed to the tragedy. Sinclair suggested that the compass’s construction flaws—rather than the snowstorm—might have been responsible.

Significant Incidents

The storm that doomed the Commodore Owen also wreaked havoc on Lake Ontario, resulting in numerous maritime tragedies:

• Schooner Mayflower: Lost at Cobourg; Captain Patterson drowned.
• Schooners Kingston Packet & York Packet: Driven ashore at Niagara; York Packet severely damaged.
• Schooner Wellington: Completely wrecked near Stoney Creek.
• Schooner Catherine: Aground near Pultneyville; wrecked.
• American Vessels: Three stranded near the lake’s head.

These losses underline the perilous conditions faced by sailors navigating Lake Ontario, particularly during autumn gales.

Final Disposition

The Commodore Owen was driven ashore and wrecked near Oak Orchard. Salvage efforts recovered parts of the vessel, including sails, rigging, anchors, and cables. Despite the crew and passengers surviving, the cargo was largely lost, and the schooner itself was beyond repair.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: Likely advanced deterioration or total disintegration, given the wreck’s age and the impact of environmental factors.

Accessibility: Not accessible for diving or exploration.

Resources & Links

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The Commodore Owen, a wooden schooner lost during a violent storm in November 1820, exemplifies the dangers of early Great Lakes navigation. Though its crew and passengers survived, the loss of the vessel and its cargo underscores the unpredictable nature of these inland seas. The wreck, along with the other tragedies of that storm, serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by sailors during the region’s early maritime history.