Identification & Site Information

• Name: False Squaw
• Type: Motorized Wooden Pleasure Boat
• Length: Approximately 22 feet (6.7 metres)
• Beam: 6 feet (1.8 metres)
• Depth: 50 feet (16 metres)
• Location: Approximately 600 feet off the west end waterfront of Clayton, New York, in the St. Lawrence River
• Condition: Upright Hull with slight lean to port; covered in Zebra Mussels; stripped of motor, wheel, lights, and metal work.

Vessel Type Description

The False Squaw was a small motorized wooden pleasure boat, likely used for personal transportation or light recreation. With its wooden Hull and propeller propulsion, the boat represents typical mid-20th-century design for private watercraft, although specific construction details are unknown due to the absence of builder records.

History

The False Squaw’s history is entwined with the mystery of a previously reported wreck known as the Squaw. Discovered by members of the Clayton Diving Club in the 1970s, the Squaw was a 30-foot workboat with an intact cabin, motor, brass fittings, and other features indicating recent loss. Despite attempts, the Squaw was never relocated, leaving its fate unknown.

In March 2011, a wreck was found in the vicinity using side scan sonar, but it was a smaller vessel, stripped of most of its fittings, and heavily encrusted with Zebra Mussels. This wreck was christened the False Squaw due to its proximity to the Squaw’s reported location and its resemblance to a discarded vessel rather than a functioning workboat.

It is speculated that the Squaw may have been raised or removed, leaving the False Squaw behind as an Abandoned craft. There are no surviving local records or newspaper reports to clarify the timeline or events leading to the False Squaw’s submersion.

Final Disposition

The wreck lies submerged at 50 feet, 600 feet from Clayton’s waterfront. The Hull is upright, leaning slightly to port, with wooden panels that once supported a windshield still in place. The absence of significant fittings and the zebra mussel coverage suggest the wreck has been underwater for several decades.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The False Squaw serves as an enigmatic underwater relic and a popular dive site near Clayton, New York. Its mystery, coupled with its connection to the Squaw, provides a compelling story for divers and historians interested in the region’s nautical past. Although the lack of archival records limits historical verification, the wreck’s condition and location make it an accessible site for underwater exploration.

Resources & Links

• Clayton Diving Club
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Clayton Local Historical Archives
• NOAA Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society
• St. Lawrence River Historical Society
• 3DShipwrecks – False Squaw

Conclusion

The False Squaw remains a fascinating site for divers and a reminder of the complexities of historical preservation and mystery on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its discovery and name reflect the region’s rich maritime exploration culture, blending fact and intrigue in equal measure.

Tags

#GreatLakes #StLawrenceRiver #FalseSquaw #MysteryWreck #DivingSite #MaritimeHistory #ClaytonNY

3D Model – False Squaw

False Squaw by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab