Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Wide Awake
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Unknown builder at Madison Dock, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 130.9 ft (39.9 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 10.1 ft (3.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 355 gross tons
- Location: Oswego, New York
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: B.L. Spangler and associates
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Wide Awake was a wooden schooner purpose-built for Great Lakes cargo transport, typical of the mid-19th century bulk carriers. With generous beam and cargo hold depth, the vessel was ideal for grain, timber, and coal trade across Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Description
The Wide Awake was a wooden schooner purpose-built for Great Lakes cargo transport, typical of the mid-19th century bulk carriers. With generous beam and cargo hold depth, the vessel was ideal for grain, timber, and coal trade across Lakes Erie and Ontario.
History
Launched in 1856 at Madison Dock, Ohio, the Wide Awake was registered to Cleveland-based owners and entered regional commerce quickly. However, her operational life proved brief.
On 8 February 1857, she was swept from the Oswego River by storm conditions and sank near Port Ontario. The vessel was recovered and towed back to harbor. But on 10 February 1857, structural failure (likely from the earlier incident) led to the vessel breaking up while at Oswego. No cargo was aboard at the time.
Significant Incidents
- 8 February 1857: Swept from the Oswego River by storm conditions and sank near Port Ontario.
- 10 February 1857: Structural failure led to the vessel breaking up while at Oswego.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss after breaking apart near the dock in Oswego, the Wide Awake was never returned to service. There were no casualties, and no insurance or registry trail has been found.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No official discovery or dive site has been recorded. The wreck is presumed destroyed or scattered.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”wide-awake” title=”References & Links”]
Despite its brief operational history, the Wide Awake remains a part of the maritime narrative of the Great Lakes, illustrating the challenges faced by vessels in the mid-19th century.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →