Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: State of Ohio
- Type: Canal Boat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Ontario, presumed near Oswego, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The State of Ohio was a canal boat, a vessel designed for navigation through inland canals and rivers. These boats featured a long, narrow build with flat bottoms for shallow waters. Despite their design for calmer waters, canal boats were also towed across the Great Lakes, often at higher risk due to their structural limitations.
Description
The State of Ohio was part of a fleet of seven boats towed by the tug Tornado, on a journey from Kingston, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. It carried leached ashes, a byproduct from manufacturing or industrial processes. Approximately 20 miles from its destination, the boat suddenly started leaking and sank within 20 minutes. The Oswego Times reported no fatalities, suggesting the crew likely abandoned ship safely.
History
The boat and its cargo were lost in the waters of Lake Ontario. The quick sinking suggests severe structural compromise, possibly exacerbated by the stresses of towing and the lake’s unpredictable conditions.
Significant Incidents
- This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of canal boats when used on larger water bodies like the Great Lakes.
- It underscores the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners and serves as a testament to the ingenuity and risks of the era’s maritime trade.
Final Disposition
The exact wreck location remains unspecified. A discovery could offer insights into the construction of canal boats and their role in the regional economy of the time. Preservation efforts would enhance understanding of Great Lakes shipping history.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Future exploration of the site could provide valuable information about the construction and use of canal boats in the Great Lakes region.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”state-of-ohio” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As divers, remember to respect the site and its history. Leave only bubbles, take only memories, and consider removing any garbage to leave the site better than you found it.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: State of Ohio
- Type: Canal Boat
- Tug: Tornado
- Cargo: Leached ashes
- Date Lost: Unspecified, within 20 miles of its destination on Lake Ontario
- Final Location: Lake Ontario, presumed near Oswego, New York
Vessel Type Description
The State of Ohio was a canal boat, a vessel designed for navigation through inland canals and rivers. These boats featured a long, narrow build with flat bottoms for shallow waters. Despite their design for calmer waters, canal boats were also towed across the Great Lakes, often at higher risk due to their structural limitations.
History
The State of Ohio was part of a fleet of seven boats towed by the tug Tornado, on a journey from Kingston, Ontario, to Oswego, New York. It carried leached ashes, a byproduct from manufacturing or industrial processes. Approximately 20 miles from its destination, the boat suddenly started leaking and sank within 20 minutes. The Oswego Times reported no fatalities, suggesting the crew likely abandoned ship safely.
Final Disposition
The boat and its cargo were lost in the waters of Lake Ontario. The quick sinking suggests severe structural compromise, possibly exacerbated by the stresses of towing and the lake’s unpredictable conditions.
Significance of the Site
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of canal boats when used on larger water bodies like the Great Lakes. It underscores the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners and serves as a testament to the ingenuity and risks of the era’s maritime trade.
Future Exploration and Preservation
The exact wreck location remains unspecified. A discovery could offer insights into the construction of canal boats and their role in the regional economy of the time. Preservation efforts would enhance understanding of Great Lakes shipping history.
Resources & Links
- Oswego Times: Historical newspaper archives detailing the incident.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive resource for shipwrecks in the region.
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society: Focused on shipwreck study and preservation.