View of Oswego Harbor in 1843


   Prominently shown in this early view of Oswego harbor are the paddle wheel steamers Rochester, left, and Lady of the Lake, which sailed on Lake Ontario. In the distance is a two-masted screw propeller. Regarding the propeller shown on the right, it is believed it may have been either the Chicago or the Oswego, built by Sylvester Doolittle in Oswego in 1842. It isn’t the Vandalia, the first screw propeller on the Great Lakes built in Oswego in 1841, as she was sloop rigged and the one shown is a two-master. The Lady of the Lake and the  Rochester were built in 1842-1843, respectively, in Oswego by George S. Weeks, whose yard is seen at far right. Later this yard was operated by George Goble into the 1900s. These are the only known depictions of these vessels. The lithograph is also of historical significance as it shows details of the second lighthouse,  the locations of local landmarks such as Fort Ontario on the bluff at left, and other buildings in the city.Conservation Treatment Grant program. The work was done by Moya Dumville of Westlake Conservators of Skaneateles.


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