Madison

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Madison
• Type: Cargo Vessel
• Year Built: Prior to 1835
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Near Oswego, New York, Lake Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Madison was a cargo vessel active during a bustling era of maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Likely a wooden-hulled schooner or brig based on its trade role and the shipbuilding trends of the early 19th century, the Madison would have been a critical asset for transporting goods such as grain, timber, and other commodities between ports in the United States and Canada.

Description

The Madison was built before 1835, during a period of expanding commerce on the Great Lakes, fueled by the agricultural and industrial growth of the United States and Canada. The ship was an integral part of the cross-border trade network, connecting port cities and supporting the economic development of the region.

History

In 1835, the Madison embarked on what would become its final journey, navigating the often-treacherous waters of Lake Ontario. Caught in a violent storm near Oswego, New York, the vessel succumbed to the harsh conditions, ultimately sinking. The specifics of the cargo, crew, and events leading up to the wreck are not well-documented, but the loss of the Madison aligns with the frequent hazards of Great Lakes navigation during the period, such as severe storms, limited navigational aids, and vulnerable wooden construction.

Significant Incidents

• The Madison was lost to a storm in 1835, its wreckage settling somewhere near Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario.
• There are no specific Notices to Mariners associated with the Madison wreck site, and its exact location remains unknown.
• The wreck of the Madison has not been officially located or surveyed.

Final Disposition

The Madison was lost to a storm in 1835, its wreckage settling somewhere near Oswego, New York, in Lake Ontario. The site remains undocumented and is presumed to be in the moderate depths typical of the lake’s coastal regions near Oswego.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Due to its age and presumed wooden construction, the Madison’s wreckage, if located, would likely be in poor condition, potentially buried under sediment or broken apart by over a century of underwater currents and ice activity. The unknown location precludes diving or research at this time.

Resources & Links

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The Madison represents an important chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes, serving as a reminder of the intense economic activity and significant dangers of the era. Though lost to a storm in 1835, the vessel’s contribution to cross-border trade remains a testament to the resilience of early sailors and the enduring importance of Lake Ontario as a commercial and cultural waterway.