Identification & Site Information
• Vessel Name: Vanderbilt Island Barge
• Type: Wooden Construction Barge
• Location: Near Vanderbilt Island, just upstream of the Thousand Island Bridge, New York
• Date of Incident: Not specified
• GPS Coordinates: Not available
• Depth: Likely within recreational diving range
Vessel Type Description
The Vanderbilt Island Barge was a wooden Barge used during the construction of the Thousand Island Bridge, a vital infrastructure project connecting mainland New York to Wellesley Island. Barges of this type were typically flat-bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpged and robustly built to carry heavy loads such as stone, concrete, and equipment essential for bridge construction. Their simple but durable design made them indispensable for large-scale engineering projects in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
History
The Thousand Island Bridge project, completed in 1938, was a monumental engineering achievement that improved transportation and trade in the St. Lawrence River region. The Vanderbilt Island Barge played a crucial role in this project, facilitating the transport of materials and equipment needed to construct the bridge.
Details of the Barge’s operational life and its role in the construction are sparse, but it is believed to have been left behind or sunk during or shortly after the completion of the bridge. The circumstances of its abandonment remain unclear, warranting further investigation to piece together its history.
Final Disposition
The Barge now lies submerged near Vanderbilt Island, upstream of the Thousand Island Bridge. Whether it sank due to damage, wear, or deliberate scuttling remains unknown. Its location has been noted by divers and local historians, but detailed documentation of the wreck site has yet to be completed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
• Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs): No specific advisories are issued for this wreck. However, the presence of a submerged Barge near Vanderbilt Island is of interest to mariners and divers in the area.
Located By & Date
Local divers and maritime historians are aware of the wreck, but its discovery has not been formally documented. The site is a potential candidate for underwater archaeological surveys due to its historical significance in the construction of the Thousand Island Bridge.
Current Condition & Accessibility
• Condition: Likely in a state of significant deterioration due to prolonged submersion and exposure to currents in the St. Lawrence River.
• Accessibility: The site is accessible to divers, particularly those interested in the history of the Thousand Islands region. Strong currents and Visibility variations in the river may pose challenges, requiring appropriate diving experience and equipment.
Resources & Links
1. Thousand Islands Museum, Clayton, NY:
2. Thousand Islands Bridge Authority:
Provides historical context and information about the bridge project.
3. St. Lawrence River Historical Foundation:
Offers resources on shipwrecks and maritime history in the area.
4. WreckSite Database:
A comprehensive registry of shipwrecks that may eventually include more details on this wreck.
Photos
No known photographs of the wreck exist, but archival images of the Thousand Island Bridge construction may provide indirect insights into the Barge’s role and design.
Conclusion
The Vanderbilt Island Barge is an artifact of the Thousand Island Bridge construction, representing an essential but often overlooked aspect of large infrastructure projects. Its history underscores the interplay between maritime transport and engineering achievements in the St. Lawrence River region. Further investigation and documentation of the wreck would contribute valuable insights into both local history and the evolution of maritime construction practices.
Tags
#VanderbiltIslandBarge #ThousandIslandBridge #StLawrenceRiver #ShipwreckDocumentation #MaritimeHistory #ConstructionBarge #UnderwaterExploration
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