Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Betty Hedger
- Type: Barge
- Year Built: 1927
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length 113 ft (34.4 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 460 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 115 m / 377 ft
- Location: Approximately 12 miles west of Dunkirk, New York
- Coordinates: 42° 25' 7.0788" N, 79° 36' 32.1012" W
- Official Number: Not available
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Barge
The Betty Hedger was a wooden-hulled barge constructed in 1927, primarily used for transporting bulk cargo across the Great Lakes.
History
On November 2, 1937, the Betty Hedger was part of a convoy being towed by the tug Ballenas across Lake Erie. The convoy included two other barges: the American Scout and the American Sailor. All three barges were laden with sulfur, a common cargo transported across the Great Lakes during that era.
As the convoy navigated the waters off Barcelona, New York, they encountered a severe storm. The turbulent weather conditions overwhelmed the barges, causing all three to founder and sink. The Betty Hedger met its demise approximately 12 miles west of Dunkirk, New York.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Betty Hedger rests at a depth of approximately 115 meters (377 feet) in Lake Erie. The site is considered suitable for advanced divers due to the depth and potential challenges posed by the lake’s conditions.
GPS Coordinates:
- Latitude: 42° 25′ 7.0788″ N
- Longitude: 79° 36′ 32.1012″ W
Current Condition & Accessibility
Specific details regarding the discovery of the Betty Hedger‘s wreck are not well-documented. However, its location has been charted and is included in various shipwreck maps and databases.
Resources & Links
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The sinking of the Betty Hedger, along with the American Scout and American Sailor, underscores the perils faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes, especially during severe storms. While specific details about the crew and the exact circumstances remain scarce, the incident serves as a somber reminder of the challenges of lake navigation. The wreck now rests silently beneath Lake Erie’s surface, offering a site of interest for advanced divers and maritime historians alike.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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