Eleanor D.

For three generations, the Cahill family of Oswego, New York have fished the waters of Lake Ontario.

The Eleanor D, captained by Bill Cahill Jr. was the last commercial fishing vessel off the Lake.

Top priority has been securing the roof and other areas that compromise the integrity of this piece of history.

Some facts about the Eleanor D.

40 ton – built from surplus WWII sheet steel

5 ft draft

12 ft width

42 ft length

1972 Detroit Diesel motor

Fish caught include: Bass, Bullheads, Carp, Catfish, Chubs, Eels, Lake Perch, Muskees, Salmon, Silver Pike, Smelt, Sturgeon, Trout, Whitefish, Yellow Pike.

Built in Erie, PA on Lake Erie in 1948, the Eleanor D. has endured 25 foot “seas” in Lake Ontario. The vessel was bought by Bill Cahill Sr. & Bill Cahill Jr. 1958 to replace the "Jackie" (built by Bill Sr. at the foot of Seneca Street in Oswego, crashed east of Fort Ontario in Feb. 1958 after breaking loose from the east river wall).

Raised into its new location on

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Scroll down for the story of how the Eleanor D. came to rest on our pier.

A promising site arrives in Oswego... a derrick strong enough to complete the long-awaited lift of the Eleanor D.

- the last commercial fishing boat off Lake Ontario.

The owner is generous, his crew is helpful and very hard working.

The Cahill family, our staff, the hardworking volunteers and some lucky passers-by were among those joining in viewing this exciting piece of history.

A Toast to the momentous day - Monica Cahill, Bill Cahill III, Lance Knapp, Rocco Longo, Pat Cole, Rosemary Nesbitt, Bill Cahill Jr., Mercedes Niess, Alan Bjorkman.

The straps are in place, as well as the I-beam spacers which will keep the straps from crushing the boat...

and the work of bringing the Eleanor D into place proceeds.

The individually designed cradle is built up around the boat, while it is still suspended by the crane.

Three generations of Cahills watch on in anticipation - William Cahill III, Monica Cahill and William Cahill Jr.

Mother and daughter (Jennifer and Monica Cahill)

Associate Director, Mercedes Niess and William Cahill Jr. pose with the hard working crew from Luedtke Engineering.

And they have reason to be proud - this is the new view on our pier - another piece of history.