Richard Palmer

27 posts

"Ocean Wave" Fire Took Many Lives

A nightmarish shipwreck on Lake Ontario occurred on April 29, 1853, when the freight and passenger steamer "Ocean Wave" burned and sank.

The Revenue Cutter "Salmon P. Chase"

Research about the Salmon P. Chace, a Revenue Cutter built to ply the Northern Lakes to prevent smuggling from Canada in 1965.

Traveling to the Thousand Islands by Stagecoach

The party reached Depauville on Saturday, where they spent a "horrid" night. They left Depauville at 4 am, drove through to Clayton, and were met by an immense crowd.

"USS Superior" Celebrates the End of the War of 1812

News of the end of the war was slow to reach Sackets Harbor. But when it did, it was a cause for celebration.

"Spring Fit-out" on the Great Lakes, Part II

It was soon time to get under way. A two or three master might need new gear such as throat and peak halliards; sheets for mainsail, spanker, mizzen, foresail . . .

"Spring Fit-out" on the Great Lakes, Part I

In the mid-19th century, as many as one hundred ships wintered in such ports as Oswego. As soon as the ice melted, Oswego came alive like a bear awakening from its long winter’s nap.

Fate of the Schooner "Maggie L"

Captain Merton H. Mellon was at the helm of his small two-masted schooner, the "Maggie L.", sailing down the St. Lawrence River on the night of November 1, 1929 . . .

Cruise Ships are Back!

All about the 2022 cruise ship OCEAN NAVIGATOR and the 1948 cruise ship ONTARIO.

Miser, a Railroad Dog

This morning I left the elegant coach with its comfortable, high-backed seats, for a trip in the baggage car. . . I wanted to get better acquainted with my friend Miser.

Wreck of The "Janet"

A voyage that started out as a pleasure cruise, to attend a regatta from Kington to Cape Vincent and French Creek (Clayton) on August 14, 1851, came to a tragic end when the yacht Janet overturned during a squall, drowning 17 women and two men

Early Navigation on the Chaumont River, Depauville

To look at the shallow and winding six-mile Chaumont River, running between Chaumont and Depauville, NY, it’s hard to believe that this stream was once navigated by steamboats and even by a sizable schooner.

Clayton's 150th: The Life of Simon G. Johnston

The Life of Simon G. Johnston - Shipbuilding was the major industry and largest employer in Clayton, NY, from the early 19th century to well into the 20th century. . .

Taking the Trolley to Alexandria Bay

One of the first electric trolley lines in northern New York was a line built from Redwood to the village of Alexandria Bay. It was only seven and a half miles long and was built by a group of local investors . .