Montgomery (1847)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Montgomery
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1847
• Builder: Sandford & Moses, Ohio City (Cleveland), Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 113 ft 2 in (34.5 m); Beam: 25 ft 3 in (7.7 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft 6.5 in (3.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 248 51/95 (old style)
• Location: Near Nicholson Island, Lake Ontario
• Original Owners: D. Howe and others; D.N. Barney & Co.; A.H. Barney and R.H. Blue; E.A. Bruce
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Montgomery was a classic two-masted schooner, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners were primarily designed for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, lumber, and coal. Their shallow draft and versatile rigging made them well-suited to navigating the varied and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1847 by Sandford & Moses in Ohio City (now part of Cleveland), Ohio, the Montgomery quickly became a valuable asset in the burgeoning maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Initially owned by D. Howe and others, the schooner was part of the Reindeer Line under the ownership of D.N. Barney & Co. The vessel played a significant role in transporting goods across the Great Lakes, a vital artery of commerce during this period.

The Montgomery underwent several changes in ownership throughout its career. By July 18, 1851, A.H. Barney and R.H. Blue of Cleveland owned the vessel. It was later registered in Buffalo, New York, in 1853. At the time of its wreck in 1856, the Montgomery was under the ownership of E.A. Bruce from Chicago, Illinois.

History

The schooner’s final voyage in November 1856 was marked by tragedy. Carrying a substantial cargo of 12,000 bushels of wheat from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to Oswego, New York, the Montgomery encountered a severe storm while navigating Lake Ontario. The fierce weather drove the vessel ashore near Nicholson Island, where it ultimately broke up. The schooner, along with its valuable cargo, was lost to the lake.

Significant Incidents

• The Montgomery was lost during a storm in November 1856 while carrying wheat.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Montgomery has not been precisely located or explored. The details of the wreck site remain undocumented in official records.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Given the age of the wreck and the nature of its demise, it is likely that the remains of the Montgomery are scattered and in a deteriorated state. The site, presumed to be near Nicholson Island in Lake Ontario, remains unexplored and inaccessible to the public.

Resources & Links

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While the Montgomery has not been located, its story remains a significant part of Great Lakes maritime history, reflecting the challenges faced by vessels navigating these waters in the 19th century.