Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Oconto
- Type: Wooden propeller steamboat
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Rand (hull); machinery salvaged from Skylark
- Dimensions: 142 ft (43.28 m) length; 28 ft (8.53 m) beam; 9.5 ft (2.90 m) draft
- Registered Tonnage: 535 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 54.86 m / 180 ft
- Location: Granite State Shoal, American Narrows, St. Lawrence River
- Coordinates: N44 18.750', W76 01.973'
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Originally Goodrich Transportation Co.; later private owners
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Oconto was a wooden-hulled propeller steamboat built for dual cargo and passenger service on the Great Lakes. Outfitted with repurposed machinery from the steamer Skylark, she was designed to navigate both open lake and inland waters. She featured accommodations suitable for West Shore tourist routes and was noted for her ruggedness and performance in severe weather.
Description
The Oconto was a wooden-hulled propeller steamboat built for dual cargo and passenger service on the Great Lakes. Outfitted with repurposed machinery from the steamer Skylark, she was designed to navigate both open lake and inland waters. She featured accommodations suitable for West Shore tourist routes and was noted for her ruggedness and performance in severe weather.
History
Commissioned by the Goodrich Transportation Company, the Oconto entered service in April 1872, initially operating out of Manitowoc and Green Bay, WI. She gained a reputation for surviving challenging weather that claimed other vessels, notably the Alpena.
On September 20, 1880, the Oconto was implicated in a catastrophic fire in Green Bay, WI, allegedly started by sparks from her smokestack. The fire destroyed over 60 dwellings, numerous barns, and key civic buildings. Multiple lawsuits ensued, culminating in a U.S. court trial where Goodrich successfully defended the company.
In December 1885, she grounded near Charity Island in Lake Huron during a blizzard. All hands survived, but the incident nearly voided her insurance, which expired later that day. She was salvaged, overhauled at Port Huron, and returned to service in summer 1886.
Significant Incidents
- September 20, 1880: Involved in a fire in Green Bay, WI, causing extensive damage and multiple lawsuits.
- December 1885: Grounded near Charity Island during a blizzard; all crew survived.
Final Disposition
On July 12, 1886, while unloading near Fisher’s Landing in the St. Lawrence River, the Oconto began to take on water and suddenly sank stern-first in deep water. One crewman, Joseph Jellie, narrowly escaped drowning. Initial salvage efforts failed. In a subsequent recovery attempt, the hull slipped down the slope of the channel and broke apart. She remains there in two main sections.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Exact discovery date unknown. Documented by sport divers and local researchers in the Thousand Islands region. No current NOTMARs. Divers should exercise extreme caution due to depth (140–180 ft) and strong currents in the American Narrows.
Resources & Links
Access to the Oconto is by boat only, with entry points available at Fisher’s Landing, NY, in the Thousand Islands region. Conditions can be challenging due to strong currents and low visibility. Divers are encouraged to practice responsible diving, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.