Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Flora Emma
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 97 ft (29.6 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Oswego Harbor, East Pier
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Flora Emma was a two-masted wooden schooner, representative of the type of vessels that navigated the Great Lakes in the 19th century.
Description
The Flora Emma met its demise during a fierce storm in November, resulting in significant hull damage and the loss of its cargo of lumber. The wreck is located near the East Pier in Oswego Harbor, where it partially submerged and broken apart.
History
Constructed in the late 19th century, the Flora Emma was engaged in the lumber trade, transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Its service history includes various voyages until its tragic loss in a storm.
Significant Incidents
- Loss of the Flora Emma during a storm on March 14, 1900.
- Failed rescue attempt by the tug Redford, which also faced perilous conditions.
- Heroic efforts by the Lifesaving Service to rescue the crew of the Flora Emma.
Final Disposition
The Flora Emma remains submerged in Oswego Harbor, serving as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners and the importance of maritime safety.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Flora Emma is accessible for diving, though divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods. It is vital to respect the site and leave it undisturbed, taking only memories and leaving only bubbles.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”flora-emma” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The story of the Flora Emma is a testament to the challenges of Great Lakes navigation and the bravery of those who risked their lives in rescue efforts. As divers, we must honor this history by preserving the wreck site and promoting ethical diving practices.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
The FLORA EMMA represents a poignant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, emblematic of the hazards faced by wooden schooners in the 19th century. Below is a comprehensive image concept for this vessel, integrating the schooner wreck with the tug REDFORD alongside, based on the historical events surrounding its demise.
Image Description
A vivid portrayal of the schooner FLORA EMMA, partially submerged and resting near the East Pier in Oswego Harbor. The vessel is shown broken apart, her two masts toppled and scattered amidst stormy waves. Wooden debris, including lumber cargo, floats around the wreck, while snow flurries from a fierce November gale obscure the distant horizon.
Nearby, the tug REDFORD, depicted as struggling against towering waves, leans precariously, with visible signs of distress from its failed rescue attempt. Smoke or steam rises faintly from its stack as it succumbs to the relentless forces of the storm, symbolizing its eventual loss.
In the background, the shoreline features the East Breakwater, battered by waves, while the brave crew of the Lifesaving Service operates a breeches buoy, silhouetted against the chaos, rescuing the crew of the schooner. Lifesavers in period-accurate attire haul lines across the icy pier, emphasizing the human struggle against nature’s fury.
The lighting conveys an ominous storm setting—dim with an overcast sky, punctuated by the whitecaps of crashing waves. Snowflakes blur parts of the composition, enhancing the cold, wintry atmosphere.
Historical Context Elements
- FLORA EMMA Details:
- Two-masted schooner with visible hull damage, accurately scaled at 97 feet in length.
- Depicted carrying a cargo of lumber, partially spilling into the water.
- Tug REDFORD:
- Smaller craft, stylized with details of 19th-century tug designs.
- Highlighting its gallant but doomed effort to aid the schooner.
- Oswego Harbor:
- East Breakwater serves as a structural focal point.
- Period lifeboat equipment and the breeches buoy operation dramatized to honor the rescue effort.
This composite visual would immortalize the tragic final voyage of the FLORA EMMA while underscoring the heroism of the Lifesaving Service and the dual calamity that claimed both the schooner and the tug REDFORD.
unknown-shipwreck-45 1900-03-14 07:50:00