Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Richardson
- Type: Wooden-hulled schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Peter Mitchell & Robert Robertson
- Dimensions: 92 ft 1 in × 23 ft 2 in × 8 ft 6 in (28.1 × 7.1 × 2.6 m); 163 GRT / 161 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 163 GRT / 161 NRT
- Location: Oswego, New York harbour
- Number of Masts: Two masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A medium-sized cargo schooner built for freshwater trade, the Richardson primarily hauled grain, lumber, and other bulk commodities across Lake Ontario and connecting waterways. Her November 1881 grounding underscores the fine margins in harbour navigation, particularly during busy harvest traffic.
Description
The Richardson was a wooden-hulled schooner designed for the transportation of cargo, particularly grain. With a single deck and two masts, she was well-suited for navigating the waters of Lake Ontario.
History
- 1872–1878: Documented as chartered to William McGee, Kingston; underwent repairs in 1873 and 1878.
- 1881 (April): Ice jam grounding at Fort William, Ontario.
- 5 October 1881: Departed Kingston bound for Oswego – heavily laden with 9,190 bushels of barley. Attempting to enter Oswego harbour, she collided with the pier and was driven ashore. Though cargo remained aboard, the vessel was declared a total wreck.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the harbour pier while attempting to enter Oswego harbour.
- Grounding occurred due to unloading cargo too late to prevent grounding.
Final Disposition
Once grounded against the pier, structural damage was severe and deemed beyond economical repair. While some cargo may have been salvaged, Richardson was abandoned and her hull subsequently broken up or dismantled onsite.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no known dive surveys or archaeological expeditions that have located remains. The wreckage was likely removed following the incident, with no remnants in situ today.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”richardson-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The Richardson‘s 1881 wreck in Oswego harbour exemplifies routine yet critical navigation challenges of cargo schooners. Laden late-season with barley, she struck the pier while entering port and was declared a total loss. No injuries were reported, but her sudden demise highlights hazards still relevant to today’s busy harbours.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Richardson
- Built: 1866 in Kingston, Ontario by Peter Mitchell & Robert Robertson
- Type: Wooden-hulled schooner, single deck, two masts
- Dimensions: 92 ft 1 in × 23 ft 2 in × 8 ft 6 in (28.1 × 7.1 × 2.6 m); 163 GRT / 161 NRT
- Loss Date: 5 October 1881
- Location: Oswego, New York harbour, Lake Ontario
- Cargo: 9,190 bushels of barley
- Loss Type: Collision with the harbour pier – driven against pier and wrecked, unloading cargo too late to prevent grounding
- Casualties: None reported
Vessel Type & Description
A medium-sized cargo schooner built for freshwater trade, the Richardson primarily hauled grain, lumber, and other bulk commodities across Lake Ontario and connecting waterways. Her November 1881 grounding underscores the fine margins in harbour navigation, particularly during busy harvest traffic.
History & Final Voyage
- 1872–1878: Documented as chartered to William McGee, Kingston; underwent repairs in 1873 and 1878
- 1881 (April): Ice jam grounding at Fort William, Ontario
- 5 October 1881: Departed Kingston bound for Oswego – heavily laden with 9,190 bushels of barley. Attempting to enter Oswego harbour, she collided with the pier and was driven ashore. Though cargo remained aboard, the vessel was declared a total wreck ([turn0search0]).
Final Disposition
Once grounded against the pier, structural damage was severe and deemed beyond economical repair. While some cargo may have been salvaged, Richardson was abandoned and her hull subsequently broken up or dismantled onsite.
Located By & Discovery Status
There are no known dive surveys or archaeological expeditions that have located remains. The wreckage was likely removed following the incident, with no remnants in situ today.
Notmar & Navigation Advisories
No Notices to Mariners reference this wreck. However, modern harbour protocols in occupied ports like Oswego emphasise reduced speed and awareness of wind and current shifts, especially during peak trade and variable October weather.
Resources & Citation
- Reported in St. Paul Pioneer Press, 6 October 1881: “The schooner Richardson, loaded with barley, from Canada, in attempting to enter the harbor early this morning, struck the exst pier and …” (shipbuildinghistory.com, newspaperhub.mnhs.org, shipwreckworld.com)
Conclusion
The Richardson‘s 1881 wreck in Oswego harbour exemplifies routine yet critical navigation challenges of cargo schooners. Laden late-season with barley, she struck the pier while entering port and was declared a total loss. No injuries were reported, but her sudden demise highlights hazards still relevant to today’s busy harbours.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
- Keywords: Richardson schooner wreck, Oswego harbour collision, barley cargo loss, 1881 grounding
- Categories: Wooden schooner wrecks, harbour navigation incidents, late-season grain transport
- Glossary:
- GRT/NRT: Gross and net register tonnage (internal volume measures)
- Grounding: Vessel driven onto bottom or structure; often results in hull damage
- Harbour pier: Dock or breakwater extending into harbour, used for mooring or breakwave protection