Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Foley
- Type: Wooden-hulled steamer
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Baltimore, Maryland
- Dimensions: 154 ft (46.9 m); Beam: 31 ft (9.4 m); Depth of hold: 16 ft (4.9 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 541 tons; Net: 348 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 122 m / 400 ft
- Location: Approximately 15 miles above Charlotte, New York, and 8 miles offshore in Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Approximate; specific coordinates not documented
- Official Number: 6749
- Original Owners: Captain James Godman
- Number of Masts: Screw propulsion system
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Foley was a robust wooden-hulled steamer, originally built to endure the rigours of Great Lakes shipping. It was powered by a screw propulsion system and measured 154 feet in length with a beam of 31 feet and a depth of 16 feet. With a gross tonnage of 541 tons, the vessel was well-suited for carrying substantial cargo. Captain James Godman, its final owner, valued the Foley at over $40,000 upon acquiring it for Great Lakes service in 1886.
Description
The Foley was a wooden-hulled steamer built in 1872, designed for the demanding conditions of Great Lakes navigation. It featured a screw propulsion system and was capable of carrying significant cargo, making it an important vessel in its time.
History
Early Years
Built in 1872 in Baltimore, Maryland, the Foley initially operated along the Atlantic coast before transitioning to the Great Lakes in the mid-1880s. By the time Captain Godman acquired the vessel, it was a critical player in transporting coal and other bulk goods across the region.
Final Voyage
On July 1, 1890, the Foley departed Charlotte, New York, bound for Chicago, Illinois, with 748 tons of coal aboard. It was towing another coal-laden vessel, the American Union. The journey was routine until disaster struck off the coast of Charlotte. A sudden fire broke out in the boiler house, spreading rapidly despite the crew’s attempts to extinguish it, even with the assistance of a passing rain squall. Unable to contain the flames, the crew abandoned ship, taking refuge in a small boat. The fire burned the Foley to the waterline before it sank into Lake Ontario’s depths. The American Union, unable to accommodate the displaced crew, ensured their safety by transporting them to shore. Local assistance from a farmer enabled the crew to reach a nearby railroad station. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Significant Incidents
- July 1, 1890: The Foley caught fire in the boiler house while towing the American Union, leading to its sinking in Lake Ontario.
Final Disposition
The Foley was declared a total loss after the fire and sank in over 400 feet of water. The vessel was insured for $19,000, and its coal cargo for $2,872. However, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, adding an air of mystery to the tragedy.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is presumed to have deteriorated significantly over the decades due to its wooden hull and the harsh underwater environment. At a depth exceeding 400 feet, it is inaccessible to recreational divers. Any remnants likely require advanced equipment and technology to locate and study.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”foley-us-6749″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Foley was a testament to the critical role steamers played in 19th-century Great Lakes commerce, particularly in the coal trade. Its tragic end on July 1, 1890, underscores the perils of maritime transport, especially in an era when fire at sea often spelled disaster. The wreck, resting deep in Lake Ontario, remains a significant but elusive piece of Great Lakes history, representing both the resilience and fragility of early steam-powered vessels.
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.
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Foley
- Official Number: 6749
- Type: Wooden-hulled steamer
- Tonnage:
- •Gross: 541 tons
- •Net: 348 tons
- Length: 154 feet (46.9 meters)
- Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters)
- Depth: 16 feet (4.9 meters)
- Construction: Built in 1872 in Baltimore, Maryland
- Propulsion: Screw propulsion system
- Owner & Captain: Captain James Godman
- Location of Wreck: Approximately 15 miles above Charlotte, New York, and 8 miles offshore in Lake Ontario
- Depth of Wreck: Over 400 feet (122 meters)
- GPS Coordinates: Approximate; specific coordinates not documented
- Date of Wreck: July 1, 1890
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Foley was a robust wooden-hulled steamer, originally built to endure the rigours of Great Lakes shipping. It was powered by a screw propulsion system and measured 154 feet in length with a beam of 31 feet and a depth of 16 feet. With a gross tonnage of 541 tons, the vessel was well-suited for carrying substantial cargo. Captain James Godman, its final owner, valued the Foley at over $40,000 upon acquiring it for Great Lakes service in 1886.
HISTORY
Early Years
Built in 1872 in Baltimore, Maryland, the Foley initially operated along the Atlantic coast before transitioning to the Great Lakes in the mid-1880s. By the time Captain Godman acquired the vessel, it was a critical player in transporting coal and other bulk goods across the region.
Final Voyage
On July 1, 1890, the Foley departed Charlotte, New York, bound for Chicago, Illinois, with 748 tons of coal aboard. It was towing another coal-laden vessel, the American Union. The journey was routine until disaster struck off the coast of Charlotte.
A sudden fire broke out in the boiler house, spreading rapidly despite the crew’s attempts to extinguish it, even with the assistance of a passing rain squall. Unable to contain the flames, the crew abandoned ship, taking refuge in a small boat. The fire burned the Foley to the waterline before it sank into Lake Ontario’s depths.
The American Union, unable to accommodate the displaced crew, ensured their safety by transporting them to shore. Local assistance from a farmer enabled the crew to reach a nearby railroad station. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The Foley was declared a total loss after the fire and sank in over 400 feet of water. The vessel was insured for $19,000, and its coal cargo for $2,872. However, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown, adding an air of mystery to the tragedy.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) linked to the Foley’s wreck site. However, Lake Ontario is known for its challenging conditions and historical shipwrecks, making caution essential for navigators in the area.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The exact coordinates of the Foley’s wreck are undocumented. Modern surveys have not located the vessel, leaving it undisturbed in Lake Ontario’s deep waters.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The wreck is presumed to have deteriorated significantly over the decades due to its wooden hull and the harsh underwater environment. At a depth exceeding 400 feet, it is inaccessible to recreational divers. Any remnants likely require advanced equipment and technology to locate and study.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- The Marine Record (September 15, 1887; September 29, 1887; December 15, 1887)
- C. Patrick Labadie Great Lakes Ship Collection
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Wrecksite
CONCLUSION
The Foley was a testament to the critical role steamers played in 19th-century Great Lakes commerce, particularly in the coal trade. Its tragic end on July 1, 1890, underscores the perils of maritime transport, especially in an era when fire at sea often spelled disaster. The wreck, resting deep in Lake Ontario, remains a significant but elusive piece of Great Lakes history, representing both the resilience and fragility of early steam-powered vessels.
KEYWORDS Foley steamer Lake Ontario shipwreck Great Lakes maritime history Wooden steamship 19th-century shipwreck Charlotte New York shipwreck Deepwater wreck
unknown-shipwreck-5694 1890-07-01 07:51:00