Ontario (Bay State)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Bay State / Ontario
• Type: Wooden Propeller Ship
• Year Built: 1852
• Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.75 m); Beam: 25 ft (7.62 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 372 4/95 (old style measurement)
• Location: Little Sodus, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: N 43.50153, W -76.53476
• Original Owners: Central Vermont Railway, Watertown & Rome Railroad Co., Northern Transportation Co., Chamberlain & Crawford

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Bay State was a wooden propeller vessel designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. With two decks and a wooden hull, it was typical of mid-19th-century freighters, built for versatility and efficiency. Initially constructed for Central Vermont Railway, it was later transferred between multiple owners, serving as a vital part of Great Lakes commerce.

Description

The Bay State was a wooden propeller vessel designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes. With two decks and a wooden hull, it was typical of mid-19th-century freighters, built for versatility and efficiency. Initially constructed for Central Vermont Railway, it was later transferred between multiple owners, serving as a vital part of Great Lakes commerce.

History

The Bay State was built by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York, for the Central Vermont Railway. Its maiden voyage occurred on September 21, 1852, from Buffalo to Detroit. The initial enrollment took place in Oswego, New York, under D.C. Bancroft on October 7, 1852. Over the years, it passed through various owners, including the Watertown & Rome Railroad Co., Northern Transportation Co., and Chamberlain & Crawford in Cleveland, Ohio (1861).

Significant Incidents

• 1856: Struck the piers in Chicago, sank with 100 tons of hardware and package cargo (partially recovered in July).
• 1857: Ran aground in Waukegan, Illinois.
• 1857 (October): Engine damaged on Lake Erie due to a broken shaft cylinder.
• Major Repairs (1861): Tonnage increased to 372 tons after substantial repairs.

Final Disposition

On November 2, 1862, the Bay State, carrying general merchandise, encountered a violent gale on Lake Ontario near Little Sodus. Despite efforts, the ship foundered, claiming the lives of all 22 people on board, including passengers and crew. The wreck lies near Little Sodus, Lake Ontario, with its exact condition unknown. Given its wooden construction and the passage of time, the remains are likely deteriorated, though the freshwater environment may have preserved some features.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Condition: Likely fragmented and deteriorated due to wooden construction and decades of submersion.

Accessibility: The location is suitable for advanced divers; caution should be exercised due to potential hazards.

Resources & Links

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The Bay State / Ontario was emblematic of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes. Its tragic loss underscores the harsh conditions of 19th-century maritime trade, where weather, mechanical failures, and limited technology often led to disaster.