Today the Port of Oswego is a shadow of its once-powerful self but still proves to be useful as trade continues in the central New York region.
The Port of Oswego would become the focal point of this perceived route and bring the country that owns it almost infinite resources for constructing an empire in the New World.
[7] Throughout the beginning of The Fur Trading Era the port was split between the French, the Iroquois (the Native American society indigenous to central New York), and the English.
[1] During the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), The French objective was to destroy the English dockyards at Oswego, as well as the partially completed forts guarding the port at the time.
The boat, named Oswego, was sunk in the harbor by attacking French forces during the early months of The Seven Years' War in 1755.
Later in the war, the docks were rebuilt by the English and used primarily for launching campaigns on French forces at Fort Frontenac and Montreal.
At this time, no American vessels were allowed to pass through the port if they carried any cargo that was produced in the United States other than grain, flour, cattle or provisions.
[1] By the time the British handed the city and the port at Oswego over to the Americans on July 14, 1796, The Fur Trading Era was long over.
As the tide of civilization moved westward and the ever-changing frontiers were pushed back by the swelling throng of immigrants, so also did New York's first great industry expand.
Around this time an average of 150 complete trips per year were made between Oswego and Niagara by vessels weighing 40 to 100 tons.
Oswego, a main shipping center for salt, potash, and general merchandise to Canada was so affected by the Act that in 1808, local opposition had almost reached the level of armed insurrection.
[7] Just prior to the War of 1812, the United States government designated Oswego as its official naval base on Lake Ontario.
This meant that naval supplies were stored at the Port of Oswego and transferred onto ships to be delivered north to Sackets Harbor.
[7] The port declined due to the growth of more advantageous water routes such as the St. Lawrence River, along with the failure of the Federal Government to complete improvements on the Great Lakes.
Fifteen companies currently call the Port of Oswego home for a portion of their domestic or international shipping operations.
The Port of Oswego’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Northeastern North American shipping market, puts them less than 350 miles from 60 million people.