Getaway Gertie – Lake Ontario Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber Shipwreck (1944)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Getaway Gertie
• Type: Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length 67 ft (20.4 m); Wingspan 110 ft (33.5 m); Height 18 ft (5.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Lake Ontario, near Oswego, New York

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Aircraft Type: Consolidated B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber

Description

The B-24 Liberator was a key component of U.S. and Allied air forces during World War II, designed for long-range bombing missions.

Specifications:

• Length: 67 feet (20.4 meters)
• Wingspan: 110 feet (33.5 meters)
• Height: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
• Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines
• Maximum Speed: 290 mph (467 km/h)
• Cruising Speed: 215 mph (346 km/h)
• Range: 2,850 miles (4,586 kilometers)
• Armament: Multiple .50 caliber machine guns positioned for defense in the nose, tail, belly, top turret, and waist
• Payload: 8,000–10,000 pounds of bombs

The B-24 was known for its versatility, capable of carrying heavy bomb loads over extended distances. Its high-mounted wing and twin-tail design gave it a distinctive silhouette.

History

On February 18, 1944, Getaway Gertie, a B-24 Liberator bomber, departed from the Army Air Base at Syracuse, New York, on a routine training flight. While flying over Lake Ontario, the plane encountered severe weather conditions, including a blinding snowstorm. Running dangerously low on fuel and unable to land due to poor visibility, the crew was ordered to bail out.

Tragically, neither the crew nor the wreckage of Getaway Gertie was ever found. The unforgiving conditions of Lake Ontario during winter, combined with the vast size and depth of the lake, have made the wreck particularly difficult to locate.

Significant Incidents

• February 18, 1944: Incident occurred due to low fuel and inability to land during a blinding snowstorm.

Final Disposition

Despite multiple search efforts, including high-tech searches by the U.S. Navy and surveys by the Oswego Maritime Foundation, the wreck of Getaway Gertie remains unlocated. Diving groups and underwater exploration teams have also attempted to locate the wreck, but it continues to elude discovery.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of Getaway Gertie is currently unlocated, and its condition remains unknown. The harsh conditions of Lake Ontario during winter contribute to the challenges faced in locating the wreck.

Resources & Links

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The disappearance of Getaway Gertie remains a poignant chapter in the history of World War II aviation. It serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by aircrews, even during training missions, and highlights the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. Efforts to locate the wreck continue as part of ongoing historical and preservation projects.