Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Orcadian (1854)

Explore the story of the Orcadian, a wooden brig lost in 1858 near Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, after a collision. Discover its history and the maritime trade of the era.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Orcadian
  • Type: Brig (two-masted, square-rigged sailing vessel)
  • Year Built: 1854
  • Builder: C. Richard, St. Ours, Quebec
  • Dimensions: Length: 94 ft (28.65 m); Beam: 20 ft (6.10 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.74 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 147 tons (133 metric tonnes)
  • Location: Presumed lost near Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, New York
  • Coordinates: 43.350905, -76.997063 on Google Maps
  • Original Owners: Rae & Bros. of Hamilton, Ontario
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Orcadian was a wooden brig — a compact, agile vessel designed for efficient cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Its square rigging and twin masts made it particularly suited for long-haul grain and timber routes between Upper Canada and American ports. The brig was a crucial design during this era of expanding trade.

Description

Owned by Rae & Bros. of Hamilton, Ontario, the Orcadian transported grain, lumber, and general cargo during the bustling mid-19th-century period of commerce. She frequently crossed Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, connecting Canadian producers with U.S. markets.

History

On May 8, 1858, the Orcadian departed Bayfield, Ontario, carrying 8,200 bushels of wheat bound for Oswego, New York. Near Little Sodus Bay, she collided with the schooner Lucy J. Latham, causing catastrophic rigging entanglement. Despite efforts to save the ship, she quickly began taking on water and sank.

Significant Incidents

  • Collision with the schooner Lucy J. Latham
  • All aboard, including Captain James Corrigal, escaped unharmed

Final Disposition

  • Cause: Collision with the schooner Lucy J. Latham
  • Cargo Lost: 8,200 bushels of wheat
  • Wreck Status: Presumed lost — no wreckage has been confirmed
  • Condition: Unknown — likely scattered or silt-covered on the lakebed
  • Located By & Date: Not discovered

Current Condition & Accessibility

No Notices to Mariners or modern chart advisories currently exist for the Orcadian. Its presumed wreck site near Sodus Bay has not been marked or verified by marine agencies.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Orcadian was a product of her time — purpose-built for the vital grain trade and lost in a tragic but all-too-common collision. While her wreck has yet to be found, her story reflects the risks mariners faced navigating busy lake corridors in challenging conditions. Her legacy lives on in shipping records and regional lore, a silent marker of the Great Lakes’ maritime past.