Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Indian Queen
- Type: Wooden side-wheel steamer
- Year Built: 1844
- Builder: Taylor & Jewett, Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: 109 ft (33.2 m) x 16 ft (4.9 m) x 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 112 tons
- Location: Battery Point, near Dunkirk, New York
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Not assigned (pre-registry era)
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Not recorded
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Indian Queen was a wooden side-wheel steamer constructed in 1844, representing the emerging design of steam vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Indian Queen measured 109 feet in length, with a beam of 16 feet and a depth of 7 feet, registering at 112 tons. It was designed for both passenger and cargo service, though it was lightly built compared to later iron and steel vessels.
History
Launched during the rapid expansion of steam navigation on the Great Lakes, the Indian Queen was employed in regional trade and passenger service on Lake Erie. On 19 November 1846, while operating near Dunkirk, New York, the vessel was caught in a severe storm, driven ashore at Battery Point, and broke in two, resulting in a total loss. While early reports did not list fatalities, later accounts suggest that up to 20 lives may have been lost, though this remains unverified.
Significant Incidents
- 19 November 1846: Caught in a storm and driven ashore at Battery Point, breaking in two and becoming a total loss.
Final Disposition
The Indian Queen was declared a total loss after breaking apart near Dunkirk, New York. The wreckage likely deteriorated quickly along the shoreline and was never repaired or returned to service.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern documentation or archaeological survey has confirmed the existence of the wreck. It is presumed destroyed or buried in shoreline sediments near Battery Point, Dunkirk, New York.
Resources & Links
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The Indian Queen serves as a reminder of the early days of steam navigation on the Great Lakes, with its loss highlighting the dangers faced by vessels during severe weather conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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