Description
The cargo ship S.S. Onondaga, owned by the Clyde Steamship Co., was launched on April 29, 1905. On June 27, 1918, the Onondaga left Boston for a voyage that was scheduled to take her to Jacksonville, Florida, carrying a large load of shoes, boots, leather, paper, and mill products. The next morning, Captain W. H. Googins and his crew encountered thick fog near Chatham, Massachusetts, at the southeastern tip of Cape Cod, and anchored before resuming travel when the fog cleared. Later that evening, the ship struck the so-called Catomb Reef near Watch Hill Lighthouse in Rhode Island, and began rapidly taking on water. In a rush, the crew of 35 men abandoned the sinking ship in the singular available lifeboat, safely making it to shore. By the next day, the Onondaga had sunk bow-first in 30 feet of water and rolled over completely. On July 18, 1905, after numerous failed attempts to salvage the ship’s cargo, the wreck was destroyed with dynamite to clear the route for other ships. Subsequently some of the wood, metal, etc. was salvaged from the sea floor for souvenirs, such as the offered example.
Condition: Generally very good with light wear and handling. The wood in expected naturally deteriorated state from being submerged for a long period, though now solid and structurally sound.
References:
“SS Onondaga (1905).” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Onondaga_(1905) (23 Jan 2025).