GLM 507 (“Dooner’s Barge”)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Cell 1

Wreck Name: GLM 507 (“Dooner’s Barge”)
Type: Steel Barge
Date of Incident: November 18, 1981
Location: Pennsylvania Harbor, Lake Erie
Coordinates: 42° 22.289′ N, 80° 20.922′ W
Depth: 70 feet (19 meters)
Condition: Foundered; wreck is broken and scattered on a mud bottom, with cargo of pig iron dispersed around the site.

2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

GLM 507, commonly known as “Dooner’s Barge,” was a steel barge built in 1963 in Mobile, Alabama. The barge had substantial dimensions, measuring 240 feet in length, 50 feet in width, and 11 feet in depth. It had a gross and net tonnage of 1,100 tons. The barge was used primarily for transporting heavy cargo and was towed by other vessels, as it was not self-propelled. At the time of its sinking, GLM 507 was carrying 1,600 tons of pig iron, now scattered around the wreck site.

3. HISTORY #

GLM 507 was owned by Great Lakes Marine Contracting, Ltd., based in Port Dover, Ontario, and was associated with John “Dooner” Misner. The barge was a part of the extensive transportation network on the Great Lakes, tasked with carrying large, heavy loads across the inland seas. Built in 1963, the barge had served for nearly two decades before it met its tragic fate.

On Wednesday, November 18, 1981, GLM 507 foundered in Pennsylvania Harbor, Lake Erie. The exact cause of the incident is not specified in the provided information. However, the barge broke apart and now lies scattered on the muddy bottom of the lake. The heavy cargo of 1,600 tons of pig iron was dispersed across the wreck site, contributing to the difficulty of any salvage operations.

4. FINAL DISPOSITION #

GLM 507 lies broken and scattered on the mud bottom of Lake Erie at a depth of 70 feet. The wreck is known to divers as a site of interest, with the scattered remains and cargo presenting both challenges and opportunities for exploration. Due to its scattered condition, the wreck site covers a substantial area, with pieces of the barge and its cargo visible across the muddy lakebed.

5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to this wreck site, but the site’s location and depth should be noted by vessels operating in the area to avoid potential hazards.

6. LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck was identified following its sinking in November 1981. The exact date of the discovery of the wreck’s remains is not specified, but it is known to the diving community and maritime historians.

7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of GLM 507 is scattered and broken, lying on a mud bottom at a depth of 70 feet. The site is accessible to experienced divers, though the scattered nature of the wreck and the presence of heavy cargo may present challenges. The visibility in this part of Lake Erie can vary, and divers should be prepared for conditions that may affect their exploration.

8. RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Information compiled from maritime records and diver reports.
Further Reading: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Google Books for historical ship records and related literature.

9. CONCLUSION #

The sinking of GLM 507, or “Dooner’s Barge,” adds to the list of maritime incidents on Lake Erie, highlighting the risks faced by vessels, even those as robust as steel barges. The cause of the sinking remains unclear, but the wreck site offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of Great Lakes shipping. The scattered wreckage and dispersed cargo make the site a unique challenge for divers and a significant point of interest for maritime historians.