Ogontz (1848)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Ogontz
• Type: Originally wooden side-wheel passenger/package-freight steamer; converted to wooden propeller barge
• Year Built: 1848
• Builder: Ward Line, Buffalo, NY
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Chicago Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Official Number: Likely retained from original registry (specific not identified)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Originally a wooden side-wheel passenger and package-freight steamer, the Ogontz was part of the Ward Line fleet, which included other notable vessels such as the Lady Elgin and Ontonagon. In 1862, it was converted into a wooden propeller barge.

Description

The Ogontz was built in 1848 in Buffalo, NY, and served primarily as a passenger and freight vessel across Lake Michigan. After its conversion in 1862, it was intended to transport cargoes such as fish and lumber.

History

The vessel underwent a significant conversion in 1862 in Detroit, MI, where it was reconfigured from a side-wheel steamer to a propeller-driven freight barge. This change reflected the evolving maritime technology of the time.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: November 1, 1862
• Location: Chicago Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Cause: Struck the harbor bar in fog, leading to its wreck.
• Outcome: The vessel broke apart, with the crew surviving the incident.
• Cargo: Included fish and lumber; no loss of life reported.

Final Disposition

The wreck occurred inside Chicago Harbor, likely near the sand bar. The condition of the wreck is believed to be poor, with internal wreckage probably scattered and destroyed. There are no records of recovery, and it is likely that the remains were cleared as a navigational hazard during harbor maintenance operations.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Today, the remains of the Ogontz are unlikely to be intact or visible, as the wreckage has likely been removed or destroyed over time. The site may not be accessible for diving due to its condition.

Resources & Links

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The Ogontz serves as an illustrative example of mid-19th-century maritime practices, particularly the conversion of passenger steamers into barges as newer vessels emerged. It highlights the operational hazards present in crowded harbor environments, such as fog and shallow bars, which were significant risk factors for vessels of that era.