St Peter Wreck

The schoonerSt Peter departed from Oswego, New York, en route to the Welland Canal as part of the voyage to Toledo, Ohio. Shortly after departure, the vessel encountered an early winter storm on Lake Ontario. The crew had narrowly missed a blizzard warning prior to setting sail. 

As weather conditions deteriorated, the vessel attempted to reverse course and return to Oswego. The crew battled the storm for approximately 12 hours, facing sustained high winds and heavy waves throughout the night. 

Despite continued efforts to maintain control and ensure the schooner’s safety, the St Peter sunk off the coast of Pultneyville, New York. Of those on board, only Captain Griffin survived. He was found unconscious, clinging to a spar, and was rescued by the tugboat Proctor. The other individuals on the schooner died with no bodies to be recovered.

Since the rediscovery of theSt Peter wreck, diving expeditions have continued intermittently. Although visibility and weather conditions on Lake Ontario can be challenging, the wreck lies at a relatively shallow depth, making it accessible to experienced recreational divers. Observations from past dives indicate that portions of the wooden hull, as well as the boiler and propeller, remain intact.

The wreck of theSaint Peter now rests at the bottom of Lake Ontario within the boundaries of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary. It stands as one of many dive sites in the lake and serves as a historical site commemorating the dangers of maritime travel on the Great Lakes.

In the summer of 2025, Aaron Newman’s research team conducted a detailed survey of the wreck site using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). On May 29, 2025, the team captured video footage using the FiFish, a Chasing M2 equipped with a GoPro mounted on top, and a VideoRay Ally. In addition to visual documentation, the team conducted a side-scan sonar survey to further assess the condition and layout of the wreck.