Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Barge 43
- Type: Unrigged Steel Scow Barge
- Year Built: 1911
- Builder: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length: 150 ft (45.7 m); Beam: 36 ft (11 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 546 tons
- Location: Outer harbor, Buffalo, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Not explicitly available
- Official Number: 172728
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Barge 43 was an unrigged steel scow, built without masts or sails and typically designed for towing or being used in stationary projects. The steel construction and simple design made it well-suited for rugged tasks such as transporting heavy cargo or assisting in industrial projects. At the time of its loss, the barge was being utilized in a harbor improvement operation.
Description
Barge 43 was constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1911, during a period when steel scows were commonly used for industrial applications. The barge’s robust steel hull and large capacity were advantageous for various roles, from material transport to harbor work.
History
In its later years, the barge served in Buffalo’s harbor improvement project. On May 24, 1961, the vessel was loaded with salvaged timbers intended to be burned as part of the operation. However, a hull failure caused the barge to begin leaking. Despite efforts to save it by deploying pumps, the breach could not be controlled. Eventually, Barge 43 sank just outside the channel in the outer harbor of Buffalo on Lake Erie.
Salvage efforts were initiated shortly after the incident but proved unsuccessful. The barge was declared unsalvageable, and it remains submerged at its final resting place. Fortunately, no crew members were on board during the incident, and there were no reported casualties.
Significant Incidents
- Barge 43 sank due to a hull failure on May 24, 1961, while involved in the Buffalo harbor improvement project.
- Salvage attempts failed, and the vessel was left on the lakebed.
Final Disposition
Barge 43 sank due to a hull failure on May 24, 1961, while involved in the Buffalo harbor improvement project. Salvage attempts failed, and the vessel was left on the lakebed. It remains in situ, becoming a part of Lake Erie’s underwater history.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Due to its steel construction and decades underwater, Barge 43 is likely heavily corroded but partially intact. The wreck may be accessible to divers interested in industrial and maritime history. Its location in a harbor may limit access due to active navigation routes and harbor regulations.
Resources & Links
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Barge 43 serves as a testament to the industrial history of Lake Erie and Buffalo’s harbor development in the mid-20th century. Though lost to a hull failure, its remains lie on the lakebed, representing the many vessels that contributed to regional infrastructure projects. The barge’s final resting place provides a historical site for exploration, underscoring the interplay between maritime engineering and industrial progress on the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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