Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lady of the Lake
- Type: Schooner (originally a 5-gun armed schooner)
- Year Built: 1813
- Builder: American Great Lakes Navy
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 89 tons (conflicting reports indicate 49 or 230 tons)
- Location: Off the coast of Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: 3.520493, -76.525767
- Official Number: None (predates the use of official registration numbers)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Lady of the Lake was originally designed as a naval schooner with five guns for the American Great Lakes Navy during the War of 1812. This type of vessel, with its sleek wooden hull and armed capabilities, was ideal for swift maneuvers and combat on the Great Lakes. After the war, the schooner was decommissioned and converted into a merchant ship, reflecting the shift in priorities from wartime activities to commercial trade.
Description
The Lady of the Lake was constructed in 1813 at Sacket’s Harbor, New York, a significant shipbuilding hub during the War of 1812. The vessel was part of the American naval effort to assert control over the Great Lakes. However, detailed accounts of its specific wartime engagements are sparse. Following the war, the ship was decommissioned and adapted for civilian use, transporting goods and passengers across the Great Lakes.
On its final journey in December 1826, the schooner departed from York (now Toronto), bound for Oswego, New York. This voyage would be its last, as the vessel never arrived at its destination.
History
The Lady of the Lake succumbed to a violent storm in December 1826, with records indicating the storm occurred on either December 13 or December 15. The vessel is presumed to have foundered off Oswego, New York. Evidence of its destruction came in the form of a small piece of wreckage that washed ashore on Ford’s Shoal.
The following year, reports emerged of a ship hulk located three miles off Oswego in deep water, which was believed to be the Lady of the Lake. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the sinking remain unclear, and no conclusive modern rediscovery of the wreck has been reported.
The storm claimed the lives of seven individuals, including the ship’s master, Captain John Rogers. The schooner’s cargo remains unknown, and there are no details of salvage attempts during the time.
Significant Incidents
- The Lady of the Lake was lost in a storm in December 1826, with conflicting reports on the exact date of the storm.
- Seven lives were lost, including Captain John Rogers.
- Reports of a ship hulk believed to be the Lady of the Lake were noted in 1827, three miles off Oswego.
Final Disposition
The ship’s hulk was reportedly located in 1827, three miles off Oswego in deep water. However, there are no specific modern confirmations of this discovery, and the exact location of the wreck remains speculative.
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories exist for the wreck of the Lady of the Lake.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Lady of the Lake represents an important piece of maritime history, bridging the transition from wartime naval operations to the era of commercial shipping on the Great Lakes. Its demise in a severe storm off Oswego, New York, is emblematic of the challenges faced by early sailors navigating these unpredictable waters. While the exact location of the wreck remains elusive, its story continues to captivate historians and maritime enthusiasts, highlighting the rich and often perilous legacy of Great Lakes navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lady-of-the-lake” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As divers, we encourage you to respect the site of the Lady of the Lake. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. Be the diver that makes a difference by ensuring the preservation of this historical site.
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