Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: AMERICAN SCOUT
- Type: Barge
- Year Built:
- Builder: Kingston, NY
- Dimensions: Length: 112.0 ft (34.1 m); Beam: 29.2 ft (8.9 m); Depth of hold: 13.3 ft (4.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 422 tons
- Location: Off Westfield (Barcelona), NY, Lake Erie
- Official Number: US167670
- Original Owners: New York Scow Corp
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type Description
The AMERICAN SCOUT was a robust barge primarily tasked with transporting bulk freight such as sulfur across the Great Lakes. Originally registered under the names STEVE SCULLY and NEPTUNE LINE No. 15, this vessel exemplified the utilitarian barges that were essential to regional commerce on the Great Lakes. With a substantial cargo capacity and sturdy design, the barge played a key role in supporting various industries dependent on waterborne transportation.
Description
Description
Built in Kingston, New York, the AMERICAN SCOUT changed hands and names multiple times before its final journey. At the time of its sinking, it was owned by the New York Scow Corp, registered as AMERICAN SCOUT, with a crew of one onboard.
History
History
On November 2, 1937, the AMERICAN SCOUT embarked on what would be its last voyage. It was one of three barges towed by the tug BALLENAS on Lake Erie, carrying a load of sulfur. Along with two other barges, the AMERICAN SAILOR and BETTY HEDGER, the AMERICAN SCOUT encountered a severe storm near Westfield, New York. The storm’s intensity proved fatal for all three barges, which foundered and sank in Lake Erie. Thankfully, the sole crew member onboard the AMERICAN SCOUT survived the incident, though the vessel and its cargo were lost to the lake.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- November 2, 1937: The AMERICAN SCOUT sank during a storm on Lake Erie, along with two other barges.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The AMERICAN SCOUT remains missing off the coast of Westfield (Barcelona), NY, with no confirmed wreck site. The sinking was documented in the 1938 Merchant Vessel List of the United States, underscoring the barge’s loss but with no indication of recovery efforts at the time. The wreckage of the AMERICAN SCOUT, as well as the other barges lost that day, has yet to be located.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The AMERICAN SCOUT is currently unlocated, and efforts to find the wreck have not yet yielded results. The site remains a point of interest for maritime historians and divers alike, emphasizing the importance of preserving the history of such vessels.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”american-scout-us-167670″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Conclusion
The story of the AMERICAN SCOUT serves as a reminder of the perils faced by barges operating on the Great Lakes, especially in storm-prone Lake Erie. With its final resting place still unknown, the AMERICAN SCOUT remains a mysterious chapter in the annals of maritime history, representing the courage of those who transported vital goods across North America’s inland seas.
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