Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: I.G. Jenkins
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 192 m / 631 ft
- Location: 35 miles northwest of Oswego, New York
- Official Number: 100078
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The I.G. Jenkins was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its fore-and-aft rigging and typically used for cargo transport.
Description
The I.G. Jenkins was a regular fixture in the Lake Ontario shipping lanes, primarily transporting cargo such as wheat. It was based in Oswego, New York, and was known for its reliability in maritime trade.
History
The I.G. Jenkins was involved in a tragic incident on November 30, 1875, when it foundered during a gale approximately 3 miles from Oswego, New York. The vessel was carrying wheat from Milwaukee and had departed from the Welland Canal. All nine crew members and passengers aboard perished in the disaster.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Incident: November 30, 1875
- Fatalities: All nine crew members and passengers were lost.
- Initial Reports: The Oswego Palladium confirmed the vessel had foundered during the gale, with debris found washed ashore.
Final Disposition
The I.G. Jenkins foundered in a gale on November 30, 1875, and currently rests at a depth of 631 feet (192 meters) in Lake Ontario, approximately 3 miles from Oswego.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was rediscovered and filmed by the US Geological Survey in 2020, confirming its identity and condition. The surrounding debris field provides insight into the vessel’s final moments.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”i-g-jenkins-us-100078″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The wreck of the I.G. Jenkins serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its rediscovery enriches the maritime archaeological record and honors the legacy of its crew and cargo.
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.
Shipwreck Report: I.G. Jenkins
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: I.G. Jenkins
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: Not specified
- Location: 35 miles northwest of Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario
- Depth: 631 feet (192 meters)
- Coordinates: Not explicitly provided but identified during a submersible dive by the US Geological Survey.
- Discovery Date: April 29, 2020
Final Voyage
- Date of Incident: November 30, 1875
- Route:
- Departed: Welland Canal
- Destination: Oswego, New York
- Cargo: Wheat from Milwaukee
- Incident: The schooner foundered during a gale approximately 3 miles from Oswego.
- Fatalities: All nine crew members and passengers were lost.
CREW AND PASSENGERS
The crew and passengers onboard included:
- Captain John Brown
- First Mate Samuel McDonald
- Second Mate John Smith
- Seamen:
- William Bosner
- Hugh Doran
- Charles Chetney
- Archie McCullom
- Cook: Jennie Williams
- Passengers: John Stewart and James Oats
CARGO AND INSURANCE
- Cargo: Wheat (insured for $26,000)
- Vessel Insurance: $8,000
DISCOVERY AND CONFIRMATION
Initial Reports. December 6, 1875: The Oswego Palladium confirmed the vessel had foundered during the gale. Debris, including a cabin door, was discovered washed ashore near Oswego.
Historical Speculations
- August 21, 1876: Captain Peter Cronley of the schooner John T. Mott reported striking an object resembling a mast near Ford’s Shoals, thought to be part of the I.G. Jenkins.
- August 28, 1876: The schooner Ella Murton encountered a similar obstruction in the same area.
2020 Submersible Dive
The wreck was located and filmed at a depth of 631 feet by the US Geological Survey. The condition of the vessel and surrounding debris field confirmed it as the final resting place of the I.G. Jenkins.
ADDITIONAL HISTORY AND TRAGEDY
- The schooner was a regular fixture in the Lake Ontario shipping lanes and was based in Oswego, New York.
- Official Number: 100078 (MVUS listing).
- The wreck highlights the hazards of 19th-century maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, where gales and treacherous weather often led to the loss of vessels and lives.
FINAL DISPOSITION
- Cause of Loss: Foundered in a gale.
- Date: November 30, 1875.
- Location: 3 miles from Oswego, New York.
- Current Resting Depth: 631 feet (192 meters).
SIGNIFICANCE IN MARITIME HISTORY
The wreck of the I.G. Jenkins serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. The loss of nine lives and valuable cargo underscores the perilous nature of maritime trade and travel during this era. The wreck also provides a valuable window into the construction and operation of schooners, which were vital to the economic development of the region.
TAGS
#JGJenkins #LakeOntario #Shipwreck #GreatLakesHistory #MaritimeDisaster #OswegoWrecks #USGeologicalSurvey #HistoricalShipwreck
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Oswego Palladium (December 6, 1875)
- US Geological Survey (2020 Submersible Dive)
- Merchant Vessels of the United States (MVUS)
- Toronto Daily Globe (November 30, 1875)
CONCLUSION
The J.G. Jenkins is a poignant example of the challenges faced by schooners in the volatile conditions of the Great Lakes. Its rediscovery in 2020 adds to the rich tapestry of maritime archaeology, ensuring the legacy of its crew and cargo endures in the study of Great Lakes history.