History
The recent discovery of two canal boats in Lake Ontario by a team of shipwreck explorers, Jim Kennard, Roger Pawlowski, and Roland Stevens, has unveiled a fascinating piece of history. These canal boats, potentially dating back to the mid-1800s, were found off the coast of Oswego, NY, through the use of DeepVision side scan sonar.
Finding canal boats in Lake Ontario is a rare occurrence since these vessels were not built for open-lake transportation. This discovery highlights the risks that early boat owners took by attempting to navigate the lake with craft ill-suited for such conditions.
The first canal boat, measuring approximately 65 feet in length and 14 feet in beam, was discovered with its stern partially torn away. No traces of an upper deck, cabin, or cargo remain. It is speculated that the stern may have broken away during turbulent lake conditions, likely caused by the cargo the boat was carrying.
The second find is a canal scow, measuring 78 feet in length and 14 feet in beam, with its entire port side torn away. This shallow draft vessel, with a depth of around 4 feet, likely met its demise when its shifting cargo caused the collapse of the scow’s side, leading to its sinking.
Both canal boats were found within a few miles of each other along a route roughly midway between Oswego and Sackets Harbor. This location suggests that they were possibly traveling between these two destinations.
During the exploration of the wrecks in 2014, a VideoRay Remote Operated Vehicle and technical divers Bob Sherwood and Andrew Driver were employed to conduct a comprehensive underwater survey. However, the wrecks’ depths, exceeding 200 feet, make them inaccessible to recreational SCUBA divers.
The New York State canal scow of the 1800s was a specialized flat-bottomed cargo vessel designed for transportation on the canal systems of New York State. These scows played a vital role in the movement of goods and materials along the extensive network of canals, particularly the Erie Canal, which connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes.
A typical New York State canal scow from the 1800s had specific features that made it suitable for navigating the canals. These scows were relatively flat and broad, with a rectangular or square-shaped hull and a shallow draft. The hull was usually made of wood, often oak or pine, and constructed using plank-on-frame construction techniques.
The dimensions of a canal scow could vary, but they generally ranged between 50 to 80 feet in length and 12 to 18 feet in width. The scows had a minimal depth, typically around 3 to 5 feet, allowing them to navigate the shallow waters of the canals without grounding.
Cargo capacity was a crucial consideration for canal scows. They were designed to carry a significant amount of cargo, such as grain, lumber, coal, and other goods. To facilitate loading and unloading, scows often featured removable wooden sideboards, which could be raised or lowered to accommodate different cargo sizes and shapes.
Maneuvering the scow within the canals required manual labor and teamwork. A typical scow was propelled by a team of horses or mules walking along the canal towpath, pulling the vessel by a towline. The flat bottom of the scow allowed it to glide smoothly along the water’s surface, minimizing resistance and making it easier to navigate the narrow canals and pass through locks.
These canal scows were workhorses of the New York State canal system, contributing to the economic growth and development of the region during the 19th century. They played a crucial role in transporting goods efficiently and connecting various towns and cities across the state.
Today, remnants of these canal scows can occasionally be found as shipwrecks in the waterways of New York State, offering glimpses into the past and reminding us of the significant role these vessels played in shaping the history and commerce of the region.
External Links #
- Shipwreck World Web Site
