Other Names
- STEVE SCULLY
- NEPTUNE LINE No. 15
- Barge
- Still Missing
David Swayze Shipwreck File * amendments
The AMERICAN SCOUT, also known as STEVE SCULLY and NEPTUNE LINE No. 15, was a barge primarily used for bulk freight transport. It had an official number of US167670 and was built in Kingston, NY. The specifications of the barge were 422 tons, measuring 112.0 feet in length, 29.2 feet in width, and 13.3 feet in depth.
Tragically, on November 2, 1937, during a storm on Lake Erie, the AMERICAN SCOUT foundered off Westfield, NY, which is also referred to as Barcelona. The barge was carrying a cargo of sulfur at the time of the incident. The AMERICAN SCOUT was being towed by the tug BALLENAS along with two other barges, the AMERICAN SAILOR and BETTY HEDGER. Unfortunately, all three barges met the same fate and sank.
The loss of the AMERICAN SCOUT was reported in the Merchant Vessel List of the United States in 1938. The barge, with one person on board, sank off Westfield, NY, resulting in no loss of life. The AMERICAN SCOUT was owned by the New York Scow Corp and had a crew of one. It had previously been known as the STEVE SCULLY and NEPTUNE LINE No. 15.
These details provide a glimpse into the history and unfortunate fate of the AMERICAN SCOUT, adding to the maritime records of vessels lost during storms on Lake Erie.
