Identification & Site Information:

• Name: St. Louis
• Type: Steam Barge (formerly a Propeller Steamship)
• Build Date: 1864
• Builder: [Not Specified], Cleveland, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 200 feet (66 meters) Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters) Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)
• Final Resting Place: Cape Vincent, NY, St. Lawrence River
• Coordinates: N 44° 8’ 0.57” / W 76° 19’ 14.40”
• Depth at Wreck Site: 30 feet (9 meters)

Vessel Description:

The St. Louis, launched in 1864, was one of the first “Propellers,” a class of steamships replacing side wheels with a single screw propeller. It featured a single-cylinder steam engine and was built for the Buffalo & Detroit Transportation Company. Initially a robust freight carrier, it underwent several modifications during its extensive career, including a Rebuild in 1876 and Conversion to an unrigged Barge in 1906.

Historical Highlights:

• 1864: Constructed in Cleveland, Ohio, for the Buffalo & Detroit Transportation Company.
• 1865: Re-measured to 985.37 tons.

Operational History:

• Regularly transported goods and towed other vessels on the Great Lakes.
• Suffered numerous groundings and collisions but remained operational due to durable construction.
• 1906: Converted into a Barge and owned by the Niagara Falls Paper Company.
• 1914: Abandoned near Cape Vincent, NY, and declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition:

The St. Louis was Abandoned in February 1914 near Cape Vincent, NY, after becoming stranded. Its documents were surrendered, marking the end of its active service. The vessel’s remains now lie near the site of a former wood pulp dock in the St. Lawrence River.

Site Description:

Wreck Location: Near 1200 Broadway St, Cape Vincent, NY, just east of the town park.

Wreck Features:

• The remains of a timber crib dock leading to the wreck.
• Large oak timbers extending from the bow to the Stern.
• A striking 12-foot (3.6-meter) rudder lying behind the wreck.

Diving Experience:

• The site’s shallow depth (30 feet/9 meters) and clear water provide excellent Visibility and accessibility for divers of all levels.
• Offers insight into historical ship construction, particularly for cargo steamships.

Historical Significance:

The St. Louis symbolizes a transitional period in maritime technology and the durability of 19th-century Great Lakes vessels. Its long service life highlights the economic and technological importance of steam-driven cargo ships and barges in the development of regional commerce.

The wreck now serves as an underwater museum, showcasing the vessel’s structural features and preserving a chapter of maritime history.

Resources & Links:

• Thousand Islands Life: Thousand Islands Life for articles on regional maritime history.
• Great Lakes Ships File: Comprehensive resource on Great Lakes vessels, including the St. Louis.
• Facebook Group Dedicated to St. Louis: A community sharing insights, photos, and research on the vessel.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes for detailed records.

Conclusion:

The St. Louis exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes shipping during the 19th century. Its transition from a propeller Steamship to an unrigged Barge and eventual abandonment reflects the evolution of maritime commerce. The accessible wreck site at Cape Vincent offers a unique opportunity for divers and historians to connect with the vessel’s rich legacy.

Tags:

St. Louis wreck, Cape Vincent shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, St. Lawrence River diving, steam Barge history.

St Louis by SRHF on Sketchfab