Wreck Report: Tonawanda

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Tonawanda
• Type: Steam Screw Propeller Vessel
• Official Number: U.S. 24110
• Tonnage: 935.62 tons
• Home Port: Buffalo, New York
• Construction Details: Not specified in the records.
• Location of Wreck: Near Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie.
• Date of Wreck: Not specified, but salvage operations were ongoing in 1871 and 1875.
• Condition: Partially buried in sand with significant damage to the structure and covered chains.

Vessel Type Description

The Tonawanda was a large steam Screw-Propelled Vessel with a Gross Tonnage of 935.62 tons. This type of vessel was common on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century, designed for transporting large quantities of cargo across the region’s waterways. The vessel’s construction featured a single Screw Propulsion system, indicating a focus on power and efficiency for its time.

History

The Tonawanda became the subject of multiple wrecking operations following its sinking near Buffalo Harbor. By 1871, efforts to recover the vessel were met with significant challenges: September 2, 1871: Salvage operations were temporarily halted as the captain of the Tug Rescue left for business in New York. September 6, 1871: Efforts to raise the Tonawanda proved largely unsuccessful. Despite attempts to lift the vessel from the sand bed, it rolled back and rested on its beam ends, accumulating a considerable amount of sand inside. Chains placed under the wreck were buried, complicating recovery efforts. Operations were Abandoned for the season, with salvage chains secured for future work in the spring. August 14, 1875: The wreck of the Tonawanda was identified as a navigational hazard for vessels entering Buffalo Harbor, prompting warnings to mariners. August 17, 1875: The vessel’s boiler was successfully raised and brought to port, marking partial success in the salvage operation. The Tonawanda’s exact sinking circumstances remain undocumented in available records, but it became one of the many challenging wrecks for wrecking crews on Lake Erie.

Final Disposition

The Tonawanda remains partially buried in sand near Buffalo Harbor. While its boiler was salvaged in 1875, other significant components of the wreck, including its chains and structural elements, were left submerged. The vessel was declared a navigational hazard for several years following its sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Due to its long submersion and partial recovery efforts, the Tonawanda’s remains are likely in an advanced state of deterioration. The exact location and depth of the wreck are not specified, but its position near Buffalo Harbor makes it a point of historical interest for local maritime historians.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

1875 Advisory: Mariners were warned about the hazardous remains of the Tonawanda near Buffalo Harbor, emphasizing caution for vessels navigating the area.

Resources & Links

• Merchant Vessel List of 1871 – Details the specifications and registry information for the Tonawanda.
• Buffalo Commercial Advertiser (September 2 & 6, 1871) – Reports on the initial salvage efforts and their challenges.
• Toronto Daily Globe (August 14 & 17, 1875) – Updates on the wreck’s condition and the partial recovery of its boiler.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File – Records of the Tonawanda’s wrecking and recovery efforts.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Context for wrecks and salvage operations during this period.
• Great Lakes Ships – Tonawanda

Keywords Tonawanda, Steam Screw Vessel, Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie Shipwreck, Salvage Operations, Wreck Hazard, Maritime History.