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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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