Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George Clinton
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1841
- Builder: J.D. Beaupre
- Dimensions: Length: 95 ft (28.96 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.88 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.13 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Braddocks Bay, near Genesee, New York
- Original Owners: Jabez N. Gilbert and L.B. Littlefield
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden sidewheel steamer, representative of early powered vessels transitioning from sail to steam, primarily used for towing and general freight on Lake Ontario.
Description
The George Clinton featured a wooden hull and sidewheel propulsion powered by a one-cylinder steam engine. Though modest in size, she was well-suited for regional freight and tow operations. The sidewheel configuration, while now obsolete, was a hallmark of early steam-powered lake vessels.
History
Operating out of Oswego, New York, the George Clinton regularly towed cargo along the Lake Ontario coast. On 13 September 1851, while towing two scows and attempting to outrun a developing storm, she was caught in violent conditions. Efforts to reach shelter in Braddocks Bay were unsuccessful, and the ship was driven ashore and destroyed. Despite the loss, all crew members survived.
Significant Incidents
- Lost during a storm on 13 September 1851 while towing cargo.
- All crew members survived the incident.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss. The hull was left onshore near Braddocks Bay. The wreckage was likely scattered and over time eroded or buried.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was confirmed destroyed at the time of loss. No formal rediscovery or archaeological documentation exists. The site is presumed lost or buried.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-clinton-1841″ title=”References & Links”]
The George Clinton reflects a pivotal moment in lake navigation history—an early steam-powered vessel operating amidst evolving technology and high-risk lake conditions. Her loss during an 1851 gale is emblematic of the transitional dangers faced by hybrid sail-steam fleets. Though her remains are lost to Braddocks Bay’s shifting shoreline, her story survives in period newspapers and port records.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name(s): George Clinton
- Year Built: 1841
- Builder: J.D. Beaupre
- Build Location: Oswego, New York
- Vessel Dimensions:
- Length: 28.96 m (95 ft)
- Beam: 4.88 m (16 ft)
- Depth: 2.13 m (7 ft)
- Engine: Single-cylinder steam engine driving sidewheels
- Owners: Jabez N. Gilbert and L.B. Littlefield
- Home Port: Oswego, New York
- Date Lost: 13 September 1851
- Location of Incident: Braddocks Bay, near Genesee, New York (Lake Ontario)
- Final Condition: Hull shattered ashore; total loss
Vessel Type
A wooden sidewheel steamer, representative of early powered vessels transitioning from sail to steam, primarily used for towing and general freight on Lake Ontario.
Description
The George Clinton featured a wooden hull and sidewheel propulsion powered by a one-cylinder steam engine. Though modest in size, she was well-suited for regional freight and tow operations. The sidewheel configuration, while now obsolete, was a hallmark of early steam-powered lake vessels.
History
Operating out of Oswego, New York, the George Clinton regularly towed cargo along the Lake Ontario coast. On 13 September 1851, while towing two scows and attempting to outrun a developing storm, she was caught in violent conditions. Efforts to reach shelter in Braddocks Bay were unsuccessful, and the ship was driven ashore and destroyed. Despite the loss, all crew members survived.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss. The hull was left onshore near Braddocks Bay. The wreckage was likely scattered and over time eroded or buried.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was confirmed destroyed at the time of loss. No formal rediscovery or archaeological documentation exists. The site is presumed lost or buried.
Notmars & Advisories
None currently issued. The area is not marked as hazardous and presents no navigational risk today.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Buffalo Daily Courier, 5 January 1852
- Buffalo Daily Republic, 16 September 1851
- Kingston Chronicle, 22 November 1843
Conclusion
The George Clinton reflects a pivotal moment in lake navigation history—an early steam-powered vessel operating amidst evolving technology and high-risk lake conditions. Her loss during an 1851 gale is emblematic of the transitional dangers faced by hybrid sail-steam fleets. Though her remains are lost to Braddocks Bay’s shifting shoreline, her story survives in period newspapers and port records.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Sidewheel steamer, Lake Ontario, 1851 storm, Braddocks Bay wreck, Oswego shipbuilding, early steam technology, wooden steamers, towing vessel, maritime transition era.
george-clinton-1841 1851-09-13 07:54:00