Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Onondaga
• Type: Schooner → Schooner-barge
• Year Built: 1870
• Builder:
• Dimensions: 137 ft (41.8 m) X 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 632 tons
• Location: Off Stony Point, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: 43.84271° N, 76.32863° W
• Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Onondaga was originally built as a three-masted wooden schooner in 1870 and was later converted into a schooner barge in 1883.

Description

The Onondaga measures 137 feet in length and has an estimated beam of 26 feet. The wreck is oriented upright and is reported to be intact, although it has a blowout on the port side hull. The vessel was carrying approximately 632 tons of coal at the time of its sinking.

History

The Onondaga left Oswego on November 5, 1907, during heavy seas. It sank off Stony Point due to foundering after a hull leak. Fortunately, there were no reported crew fatalities.

Significant Incidents

• Loss Date: November 5, 1907
• Cause of Loss: Foundering after hull leak
• Discovery Date: May 4, 2019 by Capt. Tim Caza and Dennis Gerber using side-scan and multibeam sonar.

Final Disposition

The Onondaga is recognized for its significant archaeological value, and no salvage operations are permitted. It remains a site of interest for technical divers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Dive conditions are challenging due to the depth, cold multi-thermocline water, limited natural light, and a high risk of silt-out in the lower holds. Access is only possible by boat in U.S. waters.

Resources & Links

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Divers interested in exploring the Onondaga should be aware of the technical requirements, including mixed gas and full decompression capability, due to the deep dive conditions.