Shipwreck Report: Grand Island Barge Graveyard, Upper Niagara River

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Site Name: Grand Island Barge Graveyard

• Location: East River Shore, Grand Island, Upper Niagara River, New York

• Coordinates: Approximate area near Whitehaven, Grand Island (specific coordinates not documented)

• Wreck Type: Barges, remnants of sawmill industry infrastructure

• Depth: Shallow waters near the shoreline

• Current Condition: Deteriorated remains of wooden barges, submerged docks, and other industrial debris

SITE DESCRIPTION

The Grand Island Barge Graveyard is situated along the East River shore of Grand Island, near the site of the historic sawmill town of Whitehaven. Submerged remains, including wooden Barge fragments and decayed dock structures, lie in the shallow waters. The graveyard serves as a silent witness to the once-thriving sawmill industry that flourished in the early 19th century.

The graveyard contains remnants of industrial barges likely used to transport timber, ship frames, and other goods from the sawmill to the Erie Canal and beyond. The site’s proximity to Whitehaven highlights its significance in the transportation and logging history of the region.

HISTORY

The story of the Grand Island Barge Graveyard is intertwined with the rise and fall of Whitehaven, a sawmill town established in 1834 by the East Boston Company. The town was named after Stephen White, the manager of the company, and centered around a massive sawmill that processed the island’s abundant white oak trees.

Key historical events related to the site:

• 1830: The East Boston Company purchases land on Grand Island for timber harvesting.

• 1834: Establishment of Whitehaven, including the construction of a 150-foot-square sawmill.

• 1836: Sawmill reaches full operational capacity, producing ship frames of up to 700 tons.

• 1840: Depletion of white oak forests leads to the cessation of sawmill operations. The town of Whitehaven is Abandoned, and industrial infrastructure, including barges and docks, is left behind.

• Post-1840: The Abandoned barges and docks succumb to natural degradation, creating the Barge graveyard visible today.

The Barge graveyard likely served as a hub for loading and unloading timber and ship components during the peak years of the sawmill’s operation. The barges were an integral part of the supply chain, connecting Grand Island’s industry to the Erie Canal and, eventually, Boston Harbor.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Date of Loss: Post-1840, following the depletion of white oak forests and the abandonment of Whitehaven.

• Cause of Loss: Industrial obsolescence and abandonment after the closure of the sawmill.

• Remains: Wooden Barge fragments, submerged docks, and industrial debris in shallow waters.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The Barge graveyard is in a deteriorated state, with wooden remains scattered along the riverbed. The site is accessible by boat or from the shoreline, but divers and researchers should exercise caution due to the fragile and decayed state of the remains.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Grand Island Barge Graveyard. Boaters in the area should be aware of potential submerged hazards near the shoreline.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Grand Island Barge Graveyard serves as a historical landmark, reflecting the industrial and maritime legacy of the 19th century. It stands as a testament to the rapid industrialization and environmental transformation of the era, providing valuable insights into the logging and shipbuilding activities that once thrived on Grand Island.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Historical Archives: Niagara Frontier Heritage Project, Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Local Records: Grand Island Historical Society

• Site Documentation: Underwater exploration and mapping reports, if available

CONCLUSION

The Grand Island Barge Graveyard offers a fascinating glimpse into the industrial past of the Upper Niagara River. As remnants of the once-thriving sawmill town of Whitehaven, the graveyard encapsulates the fleeting nature of industrial ventures and their lasting impact on the landscape. Preservation of the site and its narrative is crucial to understanding the region’s maritime and industrial heritage.

KEYWORDS

#GrandIsland #BargeGraveyard #Whitehaven #NiagaraRiver #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #SawmillIndustry #IndustrialHeritage #19thCenturyTrade #EnvironmentalTransformation