O.J. Walker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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O.J. Walker (shipwreck)
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 Location in Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Location | Burlington Bay, Burlington, Vermont |
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| Area | 2.9 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1862 |
| Built by | Spear, Orson Saxton |
| Architectural style | Sailing canal schooner |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001270 |
| Added to NRHP | October 22, 1998 |
The O.J. Walker was a special kind of cargo ship called a schooner. It sailed on Lake Champlain between New York and Vermont. This ship was built in 1862 in Burlington, Vermont.
For many years, the O.J. Walker carried goods across the lake. But in 1895, it sank during a big storm near Burlington. It was carrying bricks and tiles when it went down. Today, the shipwreck is a Vermont State Historic Site. It is a very well-preserved example of ships from that time. Divers who are registered can visit the wreck underwater. In 1998, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
What Was the O.J. Walker?
The O.J. Walker was a sailing schooner. It was designed to travel on both Lake Champlain and the Champlain Canal. The canal had been made wider, so ships like this could use it.
This ship was about 85.8 feet (26.2 m) long. It was about 14.5 feet (4.4 m) wide. The part of the ship that held cargo was about 6.5 feet (2.0 m) deep. It had a flat bottom with a small keel. A keel is like a fin on the bottom of a boat.
How Was the Ship Built?
The O.J. Walker was built using a method called "chine construction." This was a common way to build ships for lakes and canals back then. The ship had two masts, which are tall poles that hold the sails. This setup made it a schooner.
The ship was built in 1862 by Orson Saxton Spear. He was a famous shipbuilder on Lake Champlain. The shipyard was located in South Burlington.
The Ship's Journey and Sinking
The O.J. Walker was named after Obadiah Walker. He was a well-known businessman in Burlington. The ship's builders hoped he would use their shipping services.
The first owner of the ship was Joseph Kirby. Later, by 1893, John and Henry Brown owned it. They were a father and son who owned a brickyard.
The Final Storm
On May 11, 1895, the O.J. Walker was loaded with bricks and tiles. It was heading to Shelburne, Vermont. But a big storm hit the ship. It seems the ship started to leak.
Evidence from the wreck shows that the ship was probably top-heavy. This means it had too much weight on its deck. When the ship rolled in the storm, the goods on the deck fell off. The ship then righted itself before sinking. Luckily, the captain and all the crew members survived the sinking.
Exploring the O.J. Walker Shipwreck
The wreck of the O.J. Walker rests in Burlington Bay. It is located just outside the Burlington Breakwater. A breakwater is a barrier built in the water to protect a harbor.
This shipwreck is very special. It is the only known sailing schooner wreck that still has parts of its masts and spars. Spars are the poles that support the sails. This helps experts understand how these ships were rigged. Many ships like this were built in the mid-1800s.
Today, the O.J. Walker wreck is one of Vermont's underwater historic sites. Licensed divers can visit it. You need to register first to explore this amazing piece of history.
