Richard Palmer

27 posts

Steamboat Lady of the Lake Sailed Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River

One of the most popular steamboats on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in the 19th century was the "Lady of the Lake," of the Ontario & St. Lawrence Steamboat Company.

Wreck of the Steamboat "Martha Ogden" in 1832

The "Martha Ogden", enroute from Oswego to Sackets Harbor on November 12, 1832, was hit by a northwest gale and sprang a leak.

Heyday of the Hay Scows

Hay scows were a product of their environment, floating supplies to the inhabitants of the many islands, and transporting farmers’ produce from the islands to market.

Cadets Spent Summer Sailing the Thousand Islands

The "John S. Parsons" passed the summer cruising up and down Lake Ontario and through the Thousand Islands region, and finally returned to Oswego, where the cadets disembarked and returned to school in time for the opening of the fall term.

Recording History - Schooner Days and the "Picton" by C.H.J. Snider

Author Richard Palmer shares "Schooner Days Project". with C.H.J. Snider's history of the Schooner "Picton" . . .

"A.E. Vickery" Hits a Shoal

One of the most popular dive sites on the St. Lawrence River is the remains of the sunken schooner A.E. Vickery, off Rock Island Light near Clayton.

Captain Best, 'The Hermit of Wigwam Cove'

One of the most interesting characters who once lived in a small cabin at the edge of Lake Ontario on Sandy Pond was Captain George Best, commonly known as the "Hermit of Wigwam Cove."

Cooper's Ark: A Failed Effort of the War of 1812

Wars always inspire people to come up with innovative ways that might possibly bring a quick end to the conflict.

Recalling the Days of Rafting on the St. Lawrence River

In the 1860’s Canada’s export timber trade rose to its greatest height. Every port on Lake Ontario had its crews of raftsmen in season.

Shipwrecks Wash Ashore on Lake Ontario’s Mexico Bay

Remains of two ships believed to be the schooners Ariadne and Hartford, wrecked in Mexico Bay during

Augustus Hinckley - Lake Ontario Mariner Part III

Despite the cloud of bad luck that followed him much of his life, he never gave up his love for the water.

Sinking of the Harvey J. Kendall, another Augustus Hinckley Story

HARVEY J. KENDALL was a rather odd-looking boat and was nearing the end of her days when she was acquired

An Augustus Hinckley Story

The captain guided his boat by dead reckoning while his crew prayed. It was eight days before Christmas 1902, and the ship was en route from Cape Vincent to its home port, Oswego.