Shotline Diving

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Young America US 27515

Explore the wreck of the Young America, a mid-19th century steamer lost in a storm on Lake Ontario. All passengers survived this remarkable maritime incident.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Young America
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven steamer
  • Year Built: 1853
  • Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
  • Dimensions: 139 ft (42.4 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.4 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 359 tons
  • Location: Near Oak Orchard, New York, Lake Ontario
  • Official Number: 27515
  • Original Owners: Northern Transportation Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Young America was a wooden propeller-driven steamer, representative of mid-19th century maritime technology.

Description

The Young America was built in 1853 by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York. As part of the Great Lakes passenger and freight transport network, she served under the Northern Transportation Company, known for operating steamboats on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

History

The vessel underwent major repairs in 1864, indicating significant wear or damage during her career. Notably, she had previously sunk at Alexandria Bay, New York, in the St. Lawrence River in July 1854, but was salvaged and returned to service. By the early 1870s, she was still operating as a passenger steamer, carrying travelers across the Great Lakes.

Significant Incidents

  • July 1854: Sunk at Alexandria Bay, New York, salvaged and returned to service.
  • 1864: Major repairs undertaken.
  • October 20, 1873: Caught in a storm on Lake Ontario, leading to grounding and destruction.

Final Disposition

The Young America was abandoned as a total loss. In 1874, her engine and boiler were salvaged for possible reuse in another vessel.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no known modern discovery of the wreck site, as she was broken apart by waves and weather along the shore. No known modern navigational hazards related to this vessel exist.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”young-america-us-27515″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Young America was a survivor of multiple accidents, including a sinking in 1854 and major repairs in 1864, before ultimately meeting her fate in 1873 near Oak Orchard, New York. Despite the severe storm and mechanical failure, all 150 passengers were safely evacuated, a remarkable outcome for an era when shipwrecks often resulted in loss of life. Though her wreckage was gradually destroyed, her engine and boiler were salvaged, leaving behind little trace of one of Lake Ontario’s early steamers.

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: Young America
  • Other Names: None
  • Official Number: 27515
  • Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden propeller-driven steamer
  • Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
  • Year Built & Launched: 1853
  • Specifications:
    • Length: 139 ft (42.4 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
  • Tonnage (Old Style) 359 tons
  • Date Lost: October 20, 1873 (Other sources suggest September 2, 1873, or September 2, 1874)
  • Location of Loss: Near Oak Orchard, New York, Lake Ontario
  • Cause of Loss: Storm, engine failure, and grounding
  • Loss of Life: None
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: 150 passengers

Vessel Description & History

The Young America was a mid-19th century wooden steam propeller built in 1853 by Bidwell & Banta of Buffalo, New York. As part of the Great Lakes passenger and freight transport network, she served under the Northern Transportation Company, a firm known for operating steamboats on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

The vessel underwent major repairs in 1864, which suggests she had already sustained significant wear or damage during her career. Notably, she had previously sunk at Alexandria Bay, New York, in the St. Lawrence River in July 1854, but was salvaged and returned to service.

By the early 1870s, she was still operating as a passenger steamer, carrying travelers across the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage & Loss

On October 20, 1873, the Young America was caught in a violent storm while sailing on Lake Ontario, carrying 150 passengers. The ship’s propeller became over-revved when lifted out of the water by high waves, a common issue for early steamers in rough conditions. This over-revving damaged her engine, rendering her unable to navigate or fight against the storm’s winds and waves.

Helpless against the storm, the ship was blown ashore approximately two miles west of Yates Pier, near Oak Orchard, New York. While all passengers and crew survived, the vessel sustained severe structural damage from pounding waves and began to break apart on the shoreline.

Attempts to recover the ship failed, and over time, she was completely destroyed by the elements.

Final Disposition

The Young America was abandoned as a total loss, but in 1874, her engine and boiler were salvaged and recovered for possible reuse in another vessel.

Located By & Date Found

There is no known modern discovery of the wreck site, as she was broken apart by waves and weather along the shore.

Notmars & Advisories

No known modern navigational hazards related to this vessel exist.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Young America was a survivor of multiple accidents, including a sinking in 1854 and major repairs in 1864, before ultimately meeting her fate in 1873 near Oak Orchard, New York. Despite the severe storm and mechanical failure, all 150 passengers were safely evacuated, a remarkable outcome for an era when shipwrecks often resulted in loss of life. Though her wreckage was gradually destroyed, her engine and boiler were salvaged, leaving behind little trace of one of Lake Ontario’s early steamers.

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