Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Governor Cushman
- Type: Wooden Side-Wheel Propeller Steamer
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Luther Moses
- Dimensions: Approximately 152 ft (46.33 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Buffalo Harbor, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden side-wheel propeller steamer, designed for passenger and package freight.
Description
The Governor Cushman was a 152-foot wooden side-wheeler built in 1857 in Cleveland, Ohio. It was primarily used for transporting passengers and freight between Buffalo and Port Colborne on Lake Erie.
History
The vessel was constructed by Luther Moses and was operational for over a decade before its tragic end. It was known for its service on the busy route between Buffalo and Port Colborne, contributing to the transportation needs of the region.
Significant Incidents
- Date & Location: Night of May 1, 1868, in Buffalo Harbor.
- Event: Suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion while preparing to depart for Port Colborne, Ontario.
- Casualties: Eleven people killed, multiple others injured.
- Outcome: Vessel was destroyed by the blast and sank at her moorings. Her wreckage was removed during harbor dredging in 1901.
Final Disposition
The Governor Cushman was obliterated by the explosion, resulting in the loss of eleven lives. The wreck remained in Buffalo Harbor until it was cleared away in 1901 during dredging operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Governor Cushman is no longer present, as it was removed in 1901. However, the incident remains a significant part of local maritime history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”governor-cushman-1857″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Governor Cushman serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with steam-powered vessels in the 19th century and highlights the importance of safety regulations in maritime operations.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
(Wooden Side-Wheel Propeller Steamer; built 1857; destroyed May 1, 1868)
Vessel Details
- Type: Wooden side-wheel propeller steamer, designed for passenger and package freight
- Built: 1857 in Cleveland, Ohio, by Luther Moses
- Length: Approximately 152 feet
- Operation: Commonly ran between Buffalo and Port Colborne on Lake Erie
Incident Summary (May 1, 1868)
- Date & Location: Night of May 1, 1868, in Buffalo Harbor
- Event: Suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion while preparing to depart for Port Colborne, Ontario (Hoosier State Chronicles, alcheminc.com, Wikipedia)
- Casualties: Eleven people killed, multiple others injured (Wikipedia, Hoosier State Chronicles)
- Outcome: Vessel was destroyed by the blast and sank at her moorings. Her wreckage was removed during harbor dredging in 1901 (alcheminc.com)
Summary
The Governor Cushman, a 152-foot wooden side-wheeler built in 1857, met a tragic end in the early hours of May 1, 1868, when her boiler exploded in Buffalo Harbor. Eleven lives were lost in the incident. The damage obliterated the vessel at her dock, and her remains were not cleared from the harbor until 1901.
Research & Historical Context Opportunities
| Focus Area | Why It’s Valuable | Sources / Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed casualty list | To document the identities of the eleven killed | 1868 Buffalo newspapers (e.g., Buffalo Courier, Daily Express) |
| Boiler inspection records | To clarify mechanical or maintenance failure | U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service reports |
| Fire department logs | Provide contextual responses and safety protocols | Buffalo Fire Department archives (alcheminc.com, purple.niagara.edu) |
| Harbor cleanup data | Details on wreck removal and harbor reclamation | Harbor dredging logs, U.S. Corps of Engineers archives |
| Photographs or engravings | Visual documentation of the aftermath | Buffalo Historical Society collections |