Lake Ontario Maritime History

During the height of the storm on Oct. 22, 1887, someone made this sketch of the schooner "Delaware" attempting to make port. Stormy days on Lake Ontario provided 'entertainment' in the 19th century by Richard Palmer In 1887 there were no such things as computers, video games, television or even radios.  Newspapers were the news and entertainment providers.  An extra added "attraction" was strolling down to the waterfront which was a beehive of activity, to see what was going on. Late in the fall, when the navigation season was  drawing to a close, it was an interesting scene with ships coming and going in rapid succession. It didn't seem to matter if Lake Ontario was storm ravaged. Skippers and sailors took chances which from today's distant perspective, would seem foolhardy.  By late October, the lake wasn't exactly a place to go out for an afternoon cruise. The palmy summer days had ended, giving way to cold gale-force wind

Oswego harbor, looking northeast, late 1860s. Steamer "Midland City" one the St. Lawrence River. Another view of the "Midland City" packed with passengers. Steamer "Maude" on the St. Lawrence River. McMurrich coal facility, east side, Oswego. Oswego harbor, west side, 1870s. Schooner "Fiat" docked on the east side. Reciprocity House hotel in background. Winter scene from lower bridge looking northwest. Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad coal trestle, 1890s Steamer "Pueblo" at east side dock. Map of the Bay of Quinte                         Charlotte Lighthouse, 1872                      Sackets Harbor, 1910                                                _____                       Some Scenes at North Fair Haven The Lehigh Valley had two tugs to assist vessels in and out of the harbor at North Fair Haven on Lake Ontario. The “E.P. Ross” was built by Carroll Brothers of Buffalo in 1874

Oswego Daily Palladium Tuesday September 23, 1919 Steamer Waffle probably lost in Lake Ontario Wreckage on Lake Shore Near Beach Oswego Brings Mute Evidence of Disaster Carried Crew of Six Under, Captain Beaupre of Kingston-Left Fair Haven Yesterday Morning for Kingston—Has Not Reached There Wreckage that came in behind the strong North wind early to day and littered up the shore from Lake Ontario Park to a point West of Beach Oswego, brought much evidence that the little steamer T. J. Waffle probably foundered in Lake Ontario last night not far off the port of Oswego. No word had come up to late this afternoon from Captain C. Beaupre, of Kingston, Ont., the skipper of the boat and her crew of six. If the Waffle foundered, as seems probable they may have taken to a small boat and may be safe, but the fact they had not reported up to three o’clock this afternoon makes it appear that they have gone down with the steamer, the fate of which may never be known. The Waffle which

Oswego Daily Palladium Saturday, January 25, 1902 EARLY DAYS IN OSWEGO              ____ When the British Captured Fort Ontario.             ____ Letters That Will be Read by Many With Interest - How T. S. Morgan Captured a Cutlass While British Were Looting Residence of Matthew McNair.     In speaking of the coming to Oswego of Matthew McNair last Saturday the Palladium referred to him as “the famous civil engineer.” That was a mistake. The engineer was his son, John. It was Matthew McNair who built the first schooners here to ply on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence river. As early as 1804 Mr. McNair embarked in this business, building several vessels.     Eckford & Bergh built the brig Oneida for the Government in those early days. The Oneida mounted sixteen 24-pound guns. In 1810 Alvin Bronson, Porter, Barton & Company built schooners to meet the increasing commerce on the lake. Prior the business of the lake had been entirely in the hands of