Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Harbinger
- Type: Steam-powered scow
- Year Built: 1913
- Builder: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Dimensions: 56 ft x 18 ft x 4 ft (17.1 m x 5.5 m x 1.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 33 gross tons, 23 net tons
- Location: Unreported location, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 211160
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Harbinger was a steam-powered scow, specifically built as a piledriver vessel. Piledrivers were used for marine construction, such as building docks, piers, and other waterfront structures.
Description
Built in 1913 in Erie, Pennsylvania, the Harbinger was a relatively small but important work vessel designed for driving pilings into the lakebed for construction projects. Scows like this were commonly used by contractors and harbor authorities for infrastructure development along the Great Lakes. The vessel was powered by steam, making it more efficient than earlier hand-cranked or manually operated pile-driving rigs.
History
The Harbinger served for over 15 years in construction and harbor work on Lake Erie. As a working vessel rather than a cargo carrier, it likely moved between job sites rather than maintaining a regular route. Given the period in which it operated, it was likely involved in early 20th-century waterfront expansion projects in the region.
On December 9, 1928, the Harbinger was destroyed by fire. The exact location of the incident is unreported, but two lives were lost in the disaster. Fires on steam-powered vessels were not uncommon, often caused by boiler malfunctions, fuel leaks, or accidental ignition of onboard materials.
Significant Incidents
- December 9, 1928: The Harbinger was destroyed by fire, resulting in the loss of two lives.
Final Disposition
The Harbinger was completely destroyed by fire and was never recovered. There is no record of a salvage attempt, and any remains likely sank or were removed over time.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck exists.
No known navigation hazards associated with the wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”harbinger-us-211160″ title=”References & Links”]
The Harbinger represents a lesser-known but important category of work vessels that played a key role in the development of Great Lakes ports and harbors. The circumstances surrounding its loss remain unclear, but the deaths of two crew members highlight the risks associated with early 20th-century steam-powered construction equipment.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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