• Vessel Name: AMERICAN SCOUT (formerly STEVE SCULLY, NEPTUNE LINE No. 15) • Vessel Type: Barge • Other Names: STEVE SCULLY, NEPTUNE LINE No. 15 • Official Number: US167670 • Built: Kingston, NY • Dimensions: • Length: 112.0 feet (34.1 meters) • Beam: 29.2 feet (8.9 meters) • Depth: 13.3 feet (4.1 meters) • Gross Tonnage: 422 tons • Owner: New York Scow Corp • Last Known Location: Off Westfield (Barcelona), NY, Lake Erie • Status: Still missing • Final Fate: Sank during a storm on November 2, 1937

Vessel Type Description

The AMERICAN SCOUT was a robust Barge primarily tasked with transporting bulk freight such as sulfur across the Great Lakes. Originally registered under the names STEVE SCULLY and NEPTUNE LINE No. 15, this vessel exemplified the utilitarian barges that were essential to regional commerce on the Great Lakes. With a substantial cargo capacity and sturdy design, the Barge played a key role in supporting various industries dependent on waterborne transportation.

History

Built in Kingston, New York, the AMERICAN SCOUT changed hands and names multiple times before its final journey. At the time of its sinking, it was owned by the New York Scow Corp, registered as AMERICAN SCOUT, with a crew of one onboard.

On November 2, 1937, the AMERICAN SCOUT embarked on what would be its last voyage. It was one of three barges towed by the Tug BALLENAS on Lake Erie, carrying a load of sulfur. Along with two other barges, the AMERICAN SAILOR and BETTY HEDGER, the AMERICAN SCOUT encountered a severe storm near Westfield, New York. The storm’s intensity proved fatal for all three barges, which Foundered and sank in Lake Erie. Thankfully, the sole crew member onboard the AMERICAN SCOUT survived the incident, though the vessel and its cargo were lost to the lake.

Final Disposition

The AMERICAN SCOUT remains missing off the coast of Westfield (Barcelona), NY, with no confirmed wreck site. The sinking was documented in the 1938 Merchant Vessel List of the United States, underscoring the Barge’s loss but with no indication of recovery efforts at the time. The wreckage of the AMERICAN SCOUT, as well as the other barges lost that day, has yet to be located.

Significance of the Site

The AMERICAN SCOUT is a significant part of Lake Erie’s maritime history, illustrating the hazards faced by cargo vessels on the Great Lakes, especially those reliant on towing in challenging weather. The loss of the AMERICAN SCOUT and its sister barges highlights the vulnerability of these utilitarian vessels to the fierce storms that frequent the region.

Future Exploration and Preservation

Efforts to locate the wreck of the AMERICAN SCOUT could provide insights into the construction and operational history of early 20th-century barges on the Great Lakes. Any findings would contribute to a broader understanding of the logistical and environmental challenges that barges faced, especially during treacherous weather.

Resources & Links

For further information on the AMERICAN SCOUT and other vessels with similar fates, consider these resources:

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: A repository of shipwreck data, including details on the AMERICAN SCOUT.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records and accounts of Great Lakes vessels and incidents.

• Merchant Vessel List of the United States (1938): Official documentation noting the loss of the AMERICAN SCOUT and other vessels.

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Archival resources related to Great Lakes maritime history.

Conclusion

The story of the AMERICAN SCOUT serves as a reminder of the perils faced by barges operating on the Great Lakes, especially in storm-prone Lake Erie. With its final resting place still unknown, the AMERICAN SCOUT remains a mysterious chapter in the annals of maritime history, representing the courage of those who transported vital goods across North America’s inland seas.

Keywords: American Scout Barge, Lake Erie shipwreck, Westfield New York, Great Lakes maritime history, missing Barge