Comprehensive Information on the Wreck of ANDREW B.

Identification & Site Information

•Name: ANDREW B.

•Registration Number: 189887 (Canada)

•Date Built: 1958

•Place Built: Port Weller, Ontario, Canada

•Measurements:

•Length: 120 feet (36.58 metres)

•Beam: 50 feet (15.24 metres)

•Depth: 7.5 feet (2.29 metres)

•Date Lost: November 8, 1995

Vessel Type

Dredge Barge: Designed primarily for excavation and clearing of water channels.

Description

The ANDREW B. was constructed to serve as a Dredge Barge, featuring robust stability for working in waterways. It was equipped with operational machinery, including a crane and spuds (stabilizers), which were integral to its dredging capabilities.

History

Built in Port Weller, Ontario, in 1958, the ANDREW B. served as an active Dredge Barge for several decades. It was a vital asset in Canadian water management and infrastructure projects.

Its operational life ended on November 8, 1995, during a towing operation from Port Stanley to Whitby by the Tug OFFSHORE SUPPLIER. Near Long Point in Lake Erie, the Towline snapped, leading to the Barge capsizing and sinking in 180 feet (54.86 metres) of water. Attempts at salvage were deemed unfeasible due to severe Bulkhead damage. The vessel was formally deregistered on May 21, 1996.

Final Disposition

The wreck remains on the lakebed with its Hull lying on its side. Notably, the crane remains attached, and one spud protrudes horizontally approximately 50 feet (15.24 metres) above the lake bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg.

Location Details

•Coordinates: 42°28.796’ N, 80°04.249’ W

•Depth: 180 feet (54.86 metres)

•Proximity: Near Long Point, a prominent feature of Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada.

Access

The site is accessible via boat. Diving here requires advanced certification due to depth and potential lake currents.

Located By & Date Found

While specific discoverer details are not documented, the site is well-documented among diving communities and shipwreck researchers.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No navigation obstructions noted due to the wreck’s depth.

•Divers are advised to follow local conditions, including current, Visibility, and weather forecasts. Consult the Canadian Coast Guard’s NOTSHIP notices.

Diving Notes

•Recommended Certification: Advanced Open Water Diver (or equivalent)

•Conditions:

•Visibility: Varies; often fair to good depending on sediment and weather.

•Water Temperature: Ranges from 4°C (40°F) in early spring to 15°C (59°F) in late summer.

•Hazards: Potential entanglement risks from wreck elements; strong currents at depth.

Significance

The ANDREW B. is a significant part of Lake Erie’s maritime heritage. It reflects the utility of dredging vessels in maintaining waterways critical to Canada’s economy. Now resting on the lakebed, it serves as an underwater historical site and a unique diving destination.

References & Links

1.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Database

2.Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Database: Research Vessel Archive

3.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical Records

4.Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Conservation and Diving Information

5.Canadian Coast Guard Notices: NOTSHIP

Map Integration

•View the site on Google Maps.

•Additional regional lakebed surveys are available via the NOAA Thunder Bay Sanctuary Program.

Keywords & Categories

•Keywords: ANDREW B., shipwreck, Lake Erie, Dredge Barge, Great Lakes history

•Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, underwater archaeology, Canadian maritime history

Conclusion

The wreck of the ANDREW B. offers a compelling glimpse into the history of dredging operations in Canada and the challenges of working on Lake Erie. The site continues to attract historians and divers, adding to the cultural and recreational value of the Great Lakes region.