Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown (Rochester 1)
- Type: Wooden Steamer
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Approx. 43.354503° N, ~77.548° W (east of the Genesee River, Rochester, NY)
- Coordinates: Approx. 43.354503° N, ~77.548° W
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Unidentified Wooden Steamer
Description
This vessel, often referred to as Rochester 1, represents a documented but unidentified steamer wreck just off the coast of Rochester, NY, in Lake Ontario. The wreck appears to be a medium-to-large wooden hull steamship, based on early reports and navigational caution notes. It was first charted in 1896 as a visible obstruction, implying that the hull or portions of the superstructure were above the waterline at the time.
History
The wreck likely occurred in or just before 1896, during an era of heavy lake commerce and frequent vessel losses due to storms, poor visibility, or mechanical failure. A newspaper clipping from that year, archived by the Maritime History of the Great Lakes, described a wrecked steamer off Rochester, with visible wreckage noted by mariners. While the report lacked a vessel name, it coincides precisely with the year and general location of this NOAA wreck record.
This suggests that the wreck charted in 1896 is the same as the one reported in local maritime news, though no ownership, vessel name, or registry has ever been definitively linked to the site.
Over time, the wreck deteriorated and submerged, leading to its 1924 reclassification as a submerged wreck, and later in 1953, as a dangerous submerged obstruction. No modern archaeological surveys or diver confirmations have been recorded.
Significant Incidents
- First recorded as visible on navigational charts in 1896.
- No diver-based confirmation or sonar scan data available.
- Newspaper report from 1896 supports its visibility and contemporaneous loss.
Final Disposition
- Wreck is still listed on NOAA Chart 14805 as a dangerous submerged wreck.
- No salvage records or vessel identification found.
- It remains a navigational caution but largely unexamined.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck remains unexamined and is classified as a dangerous submerged wreck. It is still present on NOAA marine charts, indicating its ongoing navigational hazard status.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rochester-1″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Rochester 1 wreck, officially listed as an unidentified dangerous submerged wreck near Rochester, NY, appears to match historical accounts of a steamer wrecked in 1896, based on news and NOAA records. Though it remains unidentified and unconfirmed by divers, the wreck’s longevity on charts and detailed record history suggest a substantial, possibly wooden, steamer lost to Lake Ontario’s notorious late-season conditions. She continues to wait beneath the waves for archaeological confirmation.
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: Unknown (Rochester 1)
- Former Names: Nil
- Registration Number(s): Nil
- Date Built and Launched: Unknown
- Measurements: Unknown
- Date Lost / Destroyed / Abandoned: Circa 1896
- NOAA Wreck ID: 2210 / OBJECTID 11919
- Chart Number: NOAA Chart 14805
- Location of Loss: Approx. 43.354503° N, ~77.548° W (east of the Genesee River, Rochester, NY)
- Area Identifier: V
- Depth: 0 m listed (likely placeholder—true depth unknown)
- Position Quality: Low
- Position Source: Scaled from chart
- First Charted: 1896 (as visible wreck), revised 1924 (submerged), revised 1953 (dangerous submerged wreck)
Vessel Type
Unidentified Wooden Steamer
Description
This vessel, often referred to as “Rochester 1,” represents a documented but unidentified steamer wreck just off the coast of Rochester, NY, in Lake Ontario. The wreck appears to be a medium-to-large wooden hull steamship, based on early reports and navigational caution notes. It was first charted in 1896 as a visible obstruction, implying that the hull or portions of the superstructure were above the waterline at the time.
History
The wreck likely occurred in or just before 1896, during an era of heavy lake commerce and frequent vessel losses due to storms, poor visibility, or mechanical failure. A newspaper clipping from that year, archived by the Maritime History of the Great Lakes, described a wrecked steamer off Rochester, with visible wreckage noted by mariners. While the report lacked a vessel name, it coincides precisely with the year and general location of this NOAA wreck record.
This suggests that the wreck charted in 1896 is the same as the one reported in local maritime news, though no ownership, vessel name, or registry has ever been definitively linked to the site.
Over time, the wreck deteriorated and submerged, leading to its 1924 reclassification as a submerged wreck, and later in 1953, as a dangerous submerged obstruction. No modern archaeological surveys or diver confirmations have been recorded.
Final Dispositions
- Wreck is still listed on NOAA Chart 14805 as a dangerous submerged wreck.
- No salvage records or vessel identification found.
- It remains a navigational caution but largely unexamined.
Located By & Date Found
- First recorded as visible on navigational charts in 1896.
- No diver-based confirmation or sonar scan data available.
- Newspaper report from 1896 supports its visibility and contemporaneous loss.
Mapped Coordinates (approx.): 43.354503, -77.548000 – Google Maps
Notmars & Advisories
Still appears on NOAA marine charts. No new Canadian or U.S. NOTMAR entries indicate changes to its hazard classification.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – 1896 Rochester Steamer Wreck Report
- NOAA Wrecks & Obstructions Database
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks
- Great Lakes Ships Database
Conclusion
The Rochester 1 wreck, officially listed as an unidentified dangerous submerged wreck near Rochester, NY, appears to match historical accounts of a steamer wrecked in 1896, based on news and NOAA records. Though it remains unidentified and unconfirmed by divers, the wreck’s longevity on charts and detailed record history suggest a substantial, possibly wooden, steamer lost to Lake Ontario’s notorious late-season conditions. She continues to wait beneath the waves for archaeological confirmation.
Keywords: Rochester 1, Lake Ontario Wrecks, Chart 14805, Dangerous Submerged Wreck, 1896 Steamer Loss
Categories: Mystery Shipwrecks, Charted Wrecks, 19th Century Losses, Lake Ontario Unidentified
Glossary Terms:
- Dangerous Submerged Wreck: An underwater wreck posing potential threat to vessels.
- Scaled Position: An approximate location derived from chart data, not from GPS or sonar.
- Visible Wreck (Historical): A wreck initially observable above water level before deterioration.
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rochester1 1896-03-14 07:54:00