•  Vessel Name: America
• Vessel Type: Steam Screw / Dredge Service Vessel
• Official Number: 205673
• Location: Dark Island Shoal, near Singer Castle, St. Lawrence River
• GPS Coordinates: N44 27.100 W75 48.600
• Length: 134.2 feet (41 meters)
• Beam: 32.0 feet (9.8 meters)
• Depth: 7.6 feet (2.3 meters)
• Power: 160 indicated horsepower
• Depth at Wreck Site: 70-75 feet (21-23 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 297 tons
• Net Tonnage: 259 tons
• •Owner: Huffman Construction Company

Vessel Type Description

The America was a steam screw Dredge service vessel, purpose-built in 1908 to maintain navigable waterways and support dredging operations. With a Gross Tonnage of 297 tons, this robust vessel measured 134.2 feet in length and was essential in dredging tasks on the St. Lawrence River and across the Great Lakes, facilitating safer passage for other ships by removing sediment and debris. The vessel’s design included equipment like winches and support legs for drilling, allowing it to perform the physically demanding work of dredging and maintaining vital channels.

History

Built in Buffalo, New York, and registered in Erie, Pennsylvania, the America served as a crucial asset for the Huffman Construction Company. It was manned by a crew of eight, and throughout its career, it played an instrumental role in supporting dredging projects vital to the economic development of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes region.

On July 29, 1932, the America was navigating near Dark Island Shoal in the St. Lawrence River when a catastrophic fire broke out onboard, quickly consuming the vessel. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the flames spread through the wooden structure, ultimately sinking the vessel. Tragically, seven lives were lost in the disaster. The vessel settled upside down on the riverbed, marking the end of its service and adding a solemn chapter to St. Lawrence River’s maritime history.

Final Disposition

The America sank near Dark Island Shoal and now rests upside down at a depth of approximately 70 to 75 feet (21 to 23 meters). Divers have noted that the vessel’s bow lies upstream at a shallower depth of around 50 feet (15 meters), while its Stern rests at deeper levels. The wreck site includes various artifacts, such as winches, twin propellers, and support legs, which provide insight into the vessel’s operational history.

The Wreck Today

The wreck of the America has become a popular site for divers, though it is accessible only to experienced individuals due to the location’s challenging conditions, including strong currents and proximity to active shipping lanes. Divers can explore areas of the wreck such as the twin propellers, support legs, and other dredging equipment that remain on-site. The surrounding area is a mix of rock, silt, and sand, with visible remnants of blasted rock likely related to the vessel’s dredging activities.

Diving Conditions and Safety

This dive site is suited for advanced divers due to its depth and location in a main shipping channel, where currents can reach speeds of 1 to 2 knots or more. Divers are advised to use an access rope for safety and to remain vigilant for passing vessels. The silt-covered Deck and potentially limited Visibility make buoyancy control essential. Despite these conditions, the America provides a unique underwater experience, offering historical intrigue and a tangible connection to Great Lakes maritime history.

Historical Significance and Legacy

As a Dredge service vessel, the America was critical to maintaining navigable waterways in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its tragic end underscores the inherent dangers of maritime work in the early 20th century, where fire and other hazards were ever-present threats. The America’s remains serve as a tribute to those who perished and a point of interest for both divers and historians, preserving the vessel’s story in the waters of the St. Lawrence.

YouTube video CC Dan Gildea

References and Links

For additional details on the America and other historical Great Lakes vessels, explore these resources:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks
• Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Archives
• Discover New York State
• SonarGuy Photo Gallery
• Warren Lo Photography
• YouTube Videos on the America – Footage and dives featuring the wreck site for those interested in virtual exploration

Conclusion

The America’s story captures the historical importance of dredging vessels on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Now resting at the bottom of the river near Singer Castle, the America is a preserved relic that commemorates the lives lost and the pivotal role such vessels played in developing North American waterways.

Keywords: America Dredge vessel, steam screw Dredge, St. Lawrence River shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, Dark Island Shoal wreck

America Wreck – Anvil by GooseDiving on Sketchfab