SHIPWRECK REPORT: AMERICA (Scow-Barge)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: America

•Type: Scow-Barge

•Year Built: 1872

•Build Location: East Saginaw, Michigan

•Specifications:

•Hull Material: Wood

•Number of Masts: Three

•Tonnage: 124 tons

•Official Number: 29763

•Final Location: Port Burwell, Ontario, Lake Erie

•Date of Loss: Fall of 1881

•Coordinates: Not provided

•Depth: Shallow water, exact depth not reported

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The America was a three-masted wooden scow-Barge, a common vessel type used in the late 19th century for transporting bulk cargoes such as timber, coal, and grain. Scow-barges, with their wide and flat bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgs, were designed for shallow waters, making them ideal for operations on the Great Lakes. Despite their utility, these vessels were vulnerable to storms and heavy weather, particularly during the fall shipping season.

HISTORY

The America was constructed in 1872 in East Saginaw, Michigan, and served as a vital cargo transport vessel for nearly a decade. Operating primarily on Lake Erie and surrounding waters, the vessel would have been a key player in the burgeoning trade routes of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

Final Voyage and Loss (Fall 1881):

During a storm in the fall of 1881, the America was driven ashore at Port Burwell, Ontario, on Lake Erie. The specifics of the incident, including the weather conditions and the actions of the crew, are not well-documented. There is no information available about casualties or the cargo onboard at the time of the wreck.

FINAL DISPOSITION

By May of 1882, reports indicated that the America was breaking apart, with waves carrying away the vessel’s Stern. The damage rendered the vessel unsalvageable, and it was subsequently listed as “lost or otherwise out of service” in the 1884 Merchant Vessels Register.

The wreck of the America likely remains in shallow waters near Port Burwell, though no specific modern documentation exists about its location or condition. Given the passage of time and natural deterioration, it is unlikely that substantial remains of the vessel exist today.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or warnings are associated with the wreck of the America. The site does not pose a navigational hazard given its presumed shallow location and advanced state of decay.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The exact condition and accessibility of the wreck are unknown, but it is likely that the remains are scattered and severely deteriorated due to natural processes over the past century. The location has not been documented as a notable diving or exploration site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

KEYWORDS

America, Scow-Barge, Lake Erie, Port Burwell, Great Lakes, Shipwreck, Maritime History, Storm Loss

CONCLUSION

The loss of the America near Port Burwell in 1881 highlights the challenges faced by scow-barges navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. Though the vessel’s final fate was unremarkable compared to other shipwrecks, its story is an important reminder of the reliance on these modest but essential vessels during a critical period of economic growth in the region. The America remains a part of Lake Erie’s rich maritime history, even as its physical legacy fades with time.