Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Washington (later renamed Lady Washington)
- Type: Sloop (later schooner conversion)
- Year Built: 1798
- Builder: Eliphalet Beebe
- Dimensions: Length ~36 tons (~32.7 metric tons); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 36 tons (~32.7 metric tons)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 152 m / 500 ft
- Location: Lake Ontario near Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: Latitude 43.4364 N, Longitude -76.7054 W
- Original Owners: Pennsylvania Population Company (initial), later Canadian merchants
- Number of Masts: Single-masted sloop, later converted to schooner
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Washington was originally constructed as a single-masted sloop, designed for transporting settlers and cargo. At some stage, it was converted into a schooner, a configuration that provided enhanced stability and greater cargo efficiency—a common practice as Great Lakes sailing evolved. Estimated capacity was around 36 tons (~32.7 metric tons). No detailed hull plans or full-length measurements have surfaced, but sonar imagery from the wrecksite now provides archaeological insight into its original design (YBW).
Description
The Washington was originally constructed as a single-masted sloop, designed for transporting settlers and cargo. At some stage, it was converted into a schooner, a configuration that provided enhanced stability and greater cargo efficiency—a common practice as Great Lakes sailing evolved. Estimated capacity was around 36 tons (~32.7 metric tons). No detailed hull plans or full-length measurements have surfaced, but sonar imagery from the wrecksite now provides archaeological insight into its original design (YBW).
History
- Operational Profile: Built 1797–98 by Eliphalet Beebe near Erie, PA, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Population Company; launched 15 September 1798 with service supporting settlement around Lake Erie and adjoining regions (Shipwreck World).
- Ownership Chain: Initially owned by the Pennsylvania Population Company, the sloop was sold to Canadian interests. Upon entry into Lake Ontario, it was commonly referred to as Lady Washington, reflecting its dual-flag identity (Shipwreck World).
- Final Voyage Details: In early November 1803, the vessel departed Kingston, Ontario, heavily laden with general merchandise (including East Indian goods). On 6 November, a fierce gale struck over Lake Ontario. Wreckage, cargo, and the yawl were found ashore near Oswego on 7 November, indicating total loss of vessel and persons onboard (Shipwreck World).
- Notable Incidents: None noted prior to the sinking.
Significant Incidents
- Cause of Loss: Capsized during a severe November gale on Lake Ontario (Ideastream Public Media).
- Wreck Condition: Sonar and ROV imagery have confirmed the wreck in deep water, though specific condition details (e.g., intact hull, structural collapse) are pending archaeological documentation (The Guardian, YBW).
Final Disposition
- Discovery Attribution & Year: Located June 2016 by explorers Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, and Roland “Chip” Stevens using side-scan sonar and ROV technology (Shipwreck World).
- Method of Location: High-resolution side-scan sonar followed by ROV imaging, confirming the wreck’s identity (YBW).
Current Condition & Accessibility
No official navigational warnings or maritime hazard notices have been issued. Listed wreck in Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary—if established—but no “notmar” entries specifically noted (Wikipedia).
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”washington-lady-washington” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a diver, 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. The Washington wreck offers a unique glimpse into early maritime history and the challenges faced by vessels on the Great Lakes.
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.
SLD Wreck Profile
Type: Sloop (later schooner conversion)
Builder: Eliphalet Beebe (Connecticut carpenter)
Build Year: Begun 1797, launched 15 September 1798
Construction Location: Near Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
Dimensions / Capacity: Carrying capacity ~36 tons (~32.7 metric tons)
Cargo on Final Voyage: General merchandise including goods/groceries from East India (heavily laden)
Date of Loss: Early November 1803 (departed Kingston 6 November, sank during gale)
Location of Wreck: Lake Ontario near Oswego, New York (approx. Latitude 43.43638, Longitude –76.70535
Coordinates: ~43.4364 N, –76.7054 W
Depth: Approximately 500 ft (~152 m)
Owners: Pennsylvania Population Company (initial), later Canadian merchants after sale; British‑flag usage implied
Home Port: Erie, Pennsylvania (initial); later Kingston, Ontario (operational staging area)
Description
The Washington was originally constructed as a single‑masted sloop, designed for transporting settlers and cargo. At some stage, it was converted into a schooner, a configuration that provided enhanced stability and greater cargo efficiency—a common practice as Great Lakes sailing evolved. Estimated capacity was around 36 tons (~32.7 metric tons). No detailed hull plans or full-length measurements have surfaced, but sonar imagery from the wrecksite now provides archaeological insight into its original design (YBW).
History
- Operational Profile: Built 1797–98 by Eliphalet Beebe near Erie, PA, commissioned by the Pennsylvania Population Company; launched 15 September 1798 with service supporting settlement around Lake Erie and adjoining regions (Shipwreck World).
- Ownership Chain: Initially owned by the Pennsylvania Population Company, the sloop was sold to Canadian interests. Upon entry into Lake Ontario, it was commonly referred to as Lady Washington, reflecting its dual‑flag identity (Shipwreck World).
- Final Voyage Details: In early November 1803, the vessel departed Kingston, Ontario, heavily laden with general merchandise (including East Indian goods). On 6 November, a fierce gale struck over Lake Ontario. Wreckage, cargo, and the yawl were found ashore near Oswego on 7 November, indicating total loss of vessel and persons onboard (Shipwreck World).
- Notable Incidents: None noted prior to the sinking.
Final Dispositions
- Cause of Loss: Capsized during a severe November gale on Lake Ontario (Ideastream Public Media).
- Wreck Condition: Sonar and ROV imagery have confirmed the wreck in deep water, though specific condition details (e.g., intact hull, structural collapse) are pending archaeological documentation (The Guardian, YBW).
Located By & Date Found
- Discovery Attribution & Year: Located June 2016 by explorers Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, and Roland “Chip” Stevens using side‑scan sonar and ROV technology (Shipwreck World).
- Method of Location: High‑resolution side‑scan sonar followed by ROV imaging, confirming the wreck’s identity (YBW).
Notmars & Advisories
No official navigational warnings or maritime hazard notices have been issued. Listed wreck in Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary—if established—but no “notmar” entries specifically noted (Wikipedia).
Dive Information
- Access Type: Deep-water access; requires specialized boat support and ROV or advanced technical diving systems.
- Entry Point: Oswego Harbor, NY region.
- Conditions: Depth ~152 m — under cold, fresh water conditions typical of Lake Ontario; visibility details unknown.
- Depth Range: ~152 m / ~500 ft.
- Emergency Contacts: Nearest US Coast Guard sector—Buffalo or Rochester (to be added per standard protocol).
- Permits & Rules: Likely within newly designated Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; permits required for any disturbance (Wikipedia).
- Local Dive Support Services: None presently documented; recommendation to liaison with NOAA sanctuary offices or local dive outfits.
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No formal crew or passenger lists have survived to document names or casualties. Contemporary sources report all aboard were lost (The Guardian). No memorial listings located. Recommend searches in:
- Newspapers.com and Chronicling America archives (1803 Oswego area and Kingston records)
- Find A Grave / BillionGraves for local burials/incidents
- HCGL personnel/casualty cards if available.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“A rare 18th‑century built sloop, Washington (also known as Lady Washington), has been discovered in Lake Ontario off the shores of Oswego, New York.” (Shipwreck World, Dreamstime)
“Images taken from a remotely operated vehicle confirmed that the ship found in New York is the Washington, which sank during a storm in 1803 with five people onboard.” (The Guardian)
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
- Registry / Enrollment: No formal vessel registry number known; as an early commercial vessel, record-keeping was sparse. Potential inquiries:
- Pennsylvania vessel registry archives (late 1790s)
- Canadian registry or merchant records around Kingston/Niagara circa 1802–03
- Lloyd’s loss lists (for cargo and insurance details)
- Insurance: Not documented online; may require checking period brokerage or colonial‑era insurance ledgers.
Site Documentation & Imaging
- NOAA VR dives: Not yet conducted or published.
- 3D models: None publicly available.
- Private or museum photos: Sonar and ROV images exist; held by exploration team and possibly the National Museum of the Great Lakes (Shipwreck World, Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, WKAR).
Resources & Links
- Shipwreck World: “18th‑Century Sloop Washington Discovered in Lake Ontario” (Shipwreck World)
- Toledo Blade: Coverage of discovery (The Blade)
- WXXI News: Interview with Jim Kennard (wxxinews.org)
- Guardian: Confirmation of ROV imagery (The Guardian)
- PRX: General discovery summary (PRX)
- NOAA Sanctuary draft plans mentioning Washington as oldest wreck (Wikipedia)
References
- Shipwreck World article on discovery of Washington (2016) – (Shipwreck World)
- Toledo Blade local report (2016) – (The Blade)
- Guardian: ROV confirmation and loss details (2016) – (The Guardian)
- WXXI News: Explorers Interview, depth ~500 ft (2016) – (wxxinews.org)
- PRX summary of early‑1800s sloop Washington (2016) – (PRX)
- Visual & archaeological measurement details from YBW (2016) – (YBW)
- NOAA Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary details (2024) – (Wikipedia)
- Wikipedia list of LONMS shipwrecks mentioning Washington (2024) – (Shipwreck World)
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Wreck Name: Washington (later Lady Washington)Other Names: Lady Washington
Coordinates: ~43.4364 N, –76.7054 W
Depth: ~500 ft (~152 m)
Location Description: Lake Ontario near Oswego, New York
Vessel Type: Sloop (converted to schooner)
Material: Wooden construction
Dimensions: Capacity ~36 tons (~32.7 metric tons); no full hull measurements recorded
Condition: Wreck located; condition pending detailed survey
Cause of Loss: Gale / storm sinking (November 1803)
Discovery Date: June 2016
Discovered By: Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, Roland Stevens
Method: Side‑scan sonar and ROV imaging
Legal Notes: Lies within NOAA-designated Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; protected status expected
Hazards: Deep‑water wreck—diving/hazard risk available
Permits Required: Likely required by NOAA and Sanctuary regulations
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