Shipwreck Report: Barge 43

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Barge 43

•Type: Unrigged Steel Scow Barge

•Build Year: 1911

•Builder: Manitowoc, Wisconsin

•Official Number: 172728

•Dimensions:

•Length: 150 feet (45.7 meters)

•Beam: 36 feet (11 meters)

•Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)

•Capacity: 546 tons

•Location of Wreck: Outer harbor, Buffalo, Lake Erie

•Date of Loss: May 24, 1961

•Coordinates: Not explicitly available

•Depth: Specific depth not documented

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

Barge 43 was an unrigged steel scow, built without masts or sails and typically designed for towing or being used in stationary projects. The steel construction and simple design made it well-suited for rugged tasks such as transporting heavy cargo or assisting in industrial projects. At the time of its loss, the Barge was being utilized in a harbor improvement operation.

HISTORY

Barge 43 was constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1911, during a period when steel scows were commonly used for industrial applications. The Barge’s robust steel Hull and large capacity were advantageous for various roles, from material transport to harbor work.

In its later years, the Barge served in Buffalo’s harbor improvement project. On May 24, 1961, the vessel was loaded with salvaged timbers intended to be burned as part of the operation. However, a Hull failure caused the Barge to begin leaking. Despite efforts to save it by deploying pumps, the breach could not be controlled. Eventually, Barge 43 sank just outside the channel in the outer harbor of Buffalo on Lake Erie.

Salvage efforts were initiated shortly after the incident but proved unsuccessful. The Barge was declared unsalvageable, and it remains submerged at its final resting place. Fortunately, no crew members were on board during the incident, and there were no reported casualties.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Barge 43 sank due to a Hull failure on May 24, 1961, while involved in the Buffalo harbor improvement project. Salvage attempts failed, and the vessel was left on the lakebed. It remains in situ, becoming a part of Lake Erie’s underwater history.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to Barge 43 have been issued. Mariners in the Buffalo outer harbor should still be cautious, especially near the channel, as submerged wreckage could pose hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Location: Outer Harbor, Buffalo, Lake Erie

•Status: Submerged, exact coordinates unspecified

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: Due to its steel construction and decades underwater, Barge 43 is likely heavily corroded but partially intact.

•Accessibility: The wreck may be accessible to divers interested in industrial and maritime history. Its location in a harbor may limit access due to active navigation routes and harbor regulations.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

•Erie Wrecks: Information about Lake Erie shipwrecks and dive sites.

CONCLUSION

Barge 43 serves as a testament to the industrial history of Lake Erie and Buffalo’s harbor development in the mid-20th century. Though lost to a Hull failure, its remains lie on the lakebed, representing the many vessels that contributed to regional infrastructure projects. The Barge’s final resting place provides a historical site for exploration, underscoring the interplay between maritime engineering and industrial progress on the Great Lakes.

Keywords:

Barge 43, Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie Shipwreck, Salvage Operations, Steel Scow, Harbor Improvement, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Industrial Maritime History.