Wreck Discovery Along Stoney Creek Spurs Investigation

Local outdoorsman Daniel Gildea made an unexpected find while salmon fishing along Stoney Creek, New York — the partial remains of what appears to be a wooden-hulled shipwreck, embedded in the shoreline and partially submerged in shallow water.

Gildea immediately recognized key features: exposed timber ribs, a keelson, and what appears to be surviving sections of deck planking. The structure, though weathered and incomplete, clearly indicates the presence of a once-seaworthy vessel. No identifying features such as name boards or fittings were immediately visible.

Next week, Gildea will return to the site with regional marine archaeologist Ben Loset for a preliminary, non-invasive documentation session. Their goal is to conduct a thorough visual survey, taking measurements, high-resolution photographs, and notes on construction features — all without disturbing or moving any part of the wreck.

“This is about documentation, not excavation,” said Loset. “We want to record what’s there in situ so we can begin the process of identifying the vessel — or at the very least, its type, size, and possible origin.”

The find has not yet been linked to any known shipwreck records or historical incidents. The team hopes that detailed structural measurements and photographic evidence will support further archival research. The wreck may be an undocumented scow, a retired river craft, or even a long-lost local working vessel.

Gildea and Loset plan to share their findings with local historians and regional maritime archives. If the remains prove to be historically significant, the site could become a valuable addition to the region’s underwater cultural heritage inventory.

Updates from the field documentation will be posted here following the expedition.

Stay tuned. Page for the wreck
https://shotlinediving.com/docs/stoney-creek-wreck/