H. Lee White Maritime Museum Hosts SV Ontario Schooner Sponsor Appreciation Event

OSWEGO, NY – Trustees and staff of the H. Lee White Maritime Museum (HLWMM) recently held a donor appreciation event reception attended by more than 40 supporters of the construction of the SV Ontario, an 85-ft. topsail schooner, said Mercedes Niess, HLWMM executive director.

            “We have a very enthusiastic board who work hard to raise funds for the project, and they are extremely active and visible in our community promoting all aspects of our museum,” Niess said. “This event was a wonderful opportunity to both thank our sponsors and let them know just how far we’ve come in bringing this vessel to completion.

            “SV Ontario is a multi-year ship construction project dedicated to Oswego’s rich heritage as a shipbuilding and maritime capital in the 1700s and 1800s. Since 1988, more than 200 volunteers have dedicated their time to building the steel hull schooner. Materials have been donated and some labor.”

            “The group working on this boat is investing both money and sweat equity,” said Dr. Bob Morgan, HLWMM board vice president. “Over the past five years, we’ve raised $250,000, and we estimate that the total cost to finish the project will be $600,000. So far, we have commitments for $90,000 over the next five years and we hope to have the vessel in the water by 2028. The masts are being built by the Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, CT., and this year we plan to install a new engine and generator.”

            When completed, the SV Ontario will be dedicated to public service and offer youth sail training and multi-faceted educational programming. Representatives from its sister tall ships in Canada with the same educational mission attended the event. They included the St. Lawrence II from Kingston, Ontario, and the Playfair and Pathfinder, both from Hamilton, Ontario. Morgan said that in three years, all three ships are scheduled to come to Oswego and join SV Ontario in a celebration event.

            “We are so lucky to have this relationship with our sister ships,” Niess said. “They came to support our efforts and are helping to promote our ship and its programs. It is so moving to see their passion to help us.”

            Chris Chafe, captain of the St. Lawrence II, shared a video and presentation on his ship’s role as a “torchbearer for Kingston’s maritime heritage,” and the great success he’s having with youth sail training. He believes that SV Ontario will have similar success in Oswego and on the Great Lakes.

            “Youth sail training is an immersive, non-virtual experience that assembles very different people to work together and get things done, “ Chafe said. “Nothing happens on a ship without teamwork and sail training forms some of the strongest interpersonal bonds. Youth use critical thinking, are more self-assured, resilient, and are better for the experience. By completing SV Ontario, you will provide youth with great skills that translate to important jobs and careers, while having different generations work together. In short, Ontario will be an incredible asset and boon for Oswego, just as St. Lawrence II is to Kingston.”

            According to Niess, tall ships have a significant positive economic impact on their host cities. On the Great Lakes alone, tall ship port visits have had an economic impact of more than $1.5 billion in the last 20 years. SV Ontario would be the first tall ship to make port on the American shores of Lake Ontario in 15 years.

            The list of SV Ontario donors to-date includes: The Morgan Family, Marc Brown (NDE Technology) Richard S. Shineman Foundation, Pathfinder Bank, Stout Financial, Community Bank, Fulton Savings Bank, Oswego Teacher’s Federal Credit Union, Raby’s Ace Home Center, Empower Federal Credit Union, Colloca Estate Winery, Ed Alberts, Atom Avery, William Schickling, Chuck Hutcheson, Mercedes Niess, Michael Shaver, David Lochner, Ed Mervine, John Gary, Susan Feeney, Eagle Beverage, Don Smith, Rick King, James Sharfenberger, and Bud Bullard.

            Also: Duane Morton, Joe Dwyer, Spencer Ludington, Dave Granoff, Dr. Mark Humphrey, Dr. Richard Tesoriero, Dr. Renoto Mandanas, Cindy Tascarella, Liberty Clipper Sailing Adventures, SUNY Oswego Sailing Club, Barry Pritchard, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 81, Carpenters Union Local 277, CiTi BOCES, and Nate & Barbie Grey.

            For further information, or to support the project, contact Morgan or museum Executive Director Mercedes Niess at [email protected]. or www.hlwmm.org.