Barges – Grand Island Ny – Lake Erie Barge Shipwreck

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Grand Island Barge Graveyard
• Type: Barges
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: East River Shore, Grand Island, Upper Niagara River, New York
• Coordinates: Approximate area near Whitehaven, Grand Island (specific coordinates not documented)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Grand Island Barge Graveyard consists of remnants of wooden barges and industrial debris, primarily associated with the sawmill industry.

Description

The Grand Island Barge Graveyard is situated along the East River shore of Grand Island, near the site of the historic sawmill town of Whitehaven. Submerged remains, including wooden barge fragments and decayed dock structures, lie in the shallow waters. The graveyard serves as a silent witness to the once-thriving sawmill industry that flourished in the early 19th century.

The graveyard contains remnants of industrial barges likely used to transport timber, ship frames, and other goods from the sawmill to the Erie Canal and beyond. The site’s proximity to Whitehaven highlights its significance in the transportation and logging history of the region.

History

The story of the Grand Island Barge Graveyard is intertwined with the rise and fall of Whitehaven, a sawmill town established in 1834 by the East Boston Company. The town was named after Stephen White, the manager of the company, and centered around a massive sawmill that processed the island’s abundant white oak trees.

Key historical events related to the site:

• 1830: The East Boston Company purchases land on Grand Island for timber harvesting.
• 1834: Establishment of Whitehaven, including the construction of a 150-foot-square sawmill.
• 1836: Sawmill reaches full operational capacity, producing ship frames of up to 700 tons.
• 1840: Depletion of white oak forests leads to the cessation of sawmill operations. The town of Whitehaven is abandoned, and industrial infrastructure, including barges and docks, is left behind.
• Post-1840: The abandoned barges and docks succumb to natural degradation, creating the barge graveyard visible today.

The barge graveyard likely served as a hub for loading and unloading timber and ship components during the peak years of the sawmill’s operation. The barges were an integral part of the supply chain, connecting Grand Island’s industry to the Erie Canal and, eventually, Boston Harbor.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

• 1834: Establishment of Whitehaven sawmill.
• 1840: Cessation of sawmill operations due to depletion of resources.

Final Disposition

The Grand Island Barge Graveyard’s final disposition occurred post-1840, following the depletion of white oak forests and the abandonment of Whitehaven. The cause of loss was industrial obsolescence and abandonment after the closure of the sawmill. The remains include wooden barge fragments, submerged docks, and industrial debris in shallow waters.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The barge graveyard is in a deteriorated state, with wooden remains scattered along the riverbed. The site is accessible by boat or from the shoreline, but divers and researchers should exercise caution due to the fragile and decayed state of the remains.

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Grand Island Barge Graveyard. Boaters in the area should be aware of potential submerged hazards near the shoreline.

Resources & Links

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The Grand Island Barge Graveyard offers a fascinating glimpse into the industrial past of the Upper Niagara River. As remnants of the once-thriving sawmill town of Whitehaven, the graveyard encapsulates the fleeting nature of industrial ventures and their lasting impact on the landscape. Preservation of the site and its narrative is crucial to understanding the region’s maritime and industrial heritage.