Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: America
- Type: Steam Screw / Dredge Service Vessel
- Year Built: 1908
- Builder: Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: 134.2 ft (41 m); Beam: 32.0 ft (9.8 m); Depth of hold: 7.6 ft (2.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 297 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 21 m / 75 ft
- Location: Dark Island Shoal, near Singer Castle, St. Lawrence River
- Coordinates: N44 27.100 W75 48.600
- Official Number: 205673
- Original Owners: Huffman Construction Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type Description
The America was a steam screw dredge service vessel, purpose-built in 1908 to maintain navigable waterways and support dredging operations. With a gross tonnage of 297 tons, this robust vessel measured 134.2 feet in length and was essential in dredging tasks on the St. Lawrence River and across the Great Lakes, facilitating safer passage for other ships by removing sediment and debris. The vessel’s design included equipment like winches and support legs for drilling, allowing it to perform the physically demanding work of dredging and maintaining vital channels.
Description
Description
The wreck of the America has become a popular site for divers, though it is accessible only to experienced individuals due to the location’s challenging conditions, including strong currents and proximity to active shipping lanes. Divers can explore areas of the wreck such as the twin propellers, support legs, and other dredging equipment that remain on-site. The surrounding area is a mix of rock, silt, and sand, with visible remnants of blasted rock likely related to the vessel’s dredging activities.
History
History
Built in Buffalo, New York, and registered in Erie, Pennsylvania, the America served as a crucial asset for the Huffman Construction Company. It was manned by a crew of eight, and throughout its career, it played an instrumental role in supporting dredging projects vital to the economic development of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes region.
On July 29, 1932, the America was navigating near Dark Island Shoal in the St. Lawrence River when a catastrophic fire broke out onboard, quickly consuming the vessel. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the flames spread through the wooden structure, ultimately sinking the vessel. Tragically, seven lives were lost in the disaster. The vessel settled upside down on the riverbed, marking the end of its service and adding a solemn chapter to St. Lawrence River’s maritime history.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- July 29, 1932: The America caught fire while navigating near Dark Island Shoal, leading to its sinking and the loss of seven lives.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The America sank near Dark Island Shoal and now rests upside down at a depth of approximately 70 to 75 feet (21 to 23 meters). Divers have noted that the vessel’s bow lies upstream at a shallower depth of around 50 feet (15 meters), while its stern rests at deeper levels. The wreck site includes various artifacts, such as winches, twin propellers, and support legs, which provide insight into the vessel’s operational history.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Wreck Today
This dive site is suited for advanced divers due to its depth and location in a main shipping channel, where currents can reach speeds of 1 to 2 knots or more. Divers are advised to use an access rope for safety and to remain vigilant for passing vessels. The silt-covered deck and potentially limited visibility make buoyancy control essential. Despite these conditions, the America provides a unique underwater experience, offering historical intrigue and a tangible connection to Great Lakes maritime history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”america-us-205673″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The America‘s story captures the historical importance of dredging vessels on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Now resting at the bottom of the river near Singer Castle, the America is a preserved relic that commemorates the lives lost and the pivotal role such vessels played in developing North American waterways.