Identification & Site Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The Harsen was a wooden sandsucker barge, a type of vessel designed for dredging operations, primarily used for sucking up sand and silt from the bottom of waterways to maintain navigable channels.
History #
On September 4, 1926, the Harsen capsized and sank in the Pelee Passage. The cause of the capsizing remains unspecified, but such vessels were often susceptible to instability due to the nature of their operations. The wreck was later relocated out of the shipping lanes to prevent it from posing a hazard to navigation.
Final Disposition #
- Date of Loss: September 4, 1926
- Cause of Loss: Capsized
- Salvage Operations: Moved out of shipping lanes
Tags #
- Shipwreck
- Sandsucker Barge
- Pelee Passage
- Lake Erie
- Maritime History
- Dredging Operations
Conclusion #
The Harsen serves as a reminder of the perils faced by vessels engaged in dredging operations, a vital yet risky part of maintaining navigable waterways. Despite its ultimate fate, the Harsen played a crucial role in the infrastructure of its time.
