Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Ithaca Canal Boat
- Type: Canal Boat
- Year Built: Estimated mid-to-late 19th century
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Approximately 80 ft (24.4 m) in length and 14 ft (4.3 m) in width
- Registered Tonnage: Not registered
- Location: Near Ithaca, NY
- Official Number: Not registered
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The vessel is a wooden canal boat, a type commonly used in the 19th century for transporting goods through the canal systems of the northeastern United States. These boats were typically flat-bottomed and designed to navigate the shallow and narrow canals connecting various waterways.
Description
The Ithaca Canal Boat is a recently discovered shipwreck located near the southern end of Cayuga Lake, close to Ithaca, New York. The vessel measures approximately 80 feet in length and 14 feet in width. Its construction suggests it was a typical canal boat of the 19th century, used for transporting goods along the canal systems. The wreck lies submerged in the lake, with its wooden structure relatively intact, providing valuable insights into the shipbuilding techniques of the era.
History
Canal boats like the Ithaca Canal Boat played a crucial role in the economic development of the northeastern United States during the 19th century. They facilitated the movement of goods such as coal, lumber, and agricultural products between rural areas and urban markets. The Cayuga Lake area was integral to this network, connecting to the Erie Canal system and enabling trade across the region. The discovery of this vessel adds to the historical understanding of the transportation and commerce that once thrived in the Finger Lakes region.
Significant Incidents
The exact circumstances leading to the sinking of the Ithaca Canal Boat remain unknown. However, its preservation in the cold, freshwater environment of Cayuga Lake has kept the wooden structure in remarkable condition, allowing for detailed study and documentation.
Final Disposition
The wreck was initially identified during a sonar mapping expedition on November 17, 2024. Further investigation using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) on April 24, 2025, confirmed the presence of the canal boat. The discovery was made by the team at SonarGuy.com, who have documented the find and continue to explore the lake for additional historical artifacts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, there are no official navigational warnings or advisories issued for this wreck site. However, divers and researchers are advised to exercise caution and follow local regulations when exploring submerged cultural resources.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ithaca-canal-boat” title=”References & Links”]
The discovery of the Ithaca Canal Boat offers a tangible connection to the rich maritime history of the Finger Lakes region. As research and exploration continue, this site promises to yield further insights into the construction, operation, and eventual fate of canal boats that once traversed New York’s waterways.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Ithaca Canal Boat (Provisional Name)
- Former Names: Unknown
- Official Number: Not registered
- Date Built: Estimated mid-to-late 19th century
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Approximately 80 ft (24.4 m) in length and 14 ft (4.3 m) in width
- Propulsion: Likely horse-drawn or towed by steam tug
- Date Lost: Unknown
- Final Disposition: Sank in Cayuga Lake; remains submerged near Ithaca, NY (Year of 2024 – Shipwrecks of Upstate NY, Diving Cayuga Lake for 1850s Shipwreck – YouTube)
Vessel Type
The vessel is a wooden canal boat, a type commonly used in the 19th century for transporting goods through the canal systems of the northeastern United States. These boats were typically flat-bottomed and designed to navigate the shallow and narrow canals connecting various waterways.
Description
The Ithaca Canal Boat is a recently discovered shipwreck located near the southern end of Cayuga Lake, close to Ithaca, New York. The vessel measures approximately 80 feet in length and 14 feet in width. Its construction suggests it was a typical canal boat of the 19th century, used for transporting goods along the canal systems. The wreck lies submerged in the lake, with its wooden structure relatively intact, providing valuable insights into the shipbuilding techniques of the era.
History
Canal boats like the Ithaca Canal Boat played a crucial role in the economic development of the northeastern United States during the 19th century. They facilitated the movement of goods such as coal, lumber, and agricultural products between rural areas and urban markets. The Cayuga Lake area was integral to this network, connecting to the Erie Canal system and enabling trade across the region. The discovery of this vessel adds to the historical understanding of the transportation and commerce that once thrived in the Finger Lakes region.
Final Disposition
The exact circumstances leading to the sinking of the Ithaca Canal Boat remain unknown. However, its preservation in the cold, freshwater environment of Cayuga Lake has kept the wooden structure in remarkable condition, allowing for detailed study and documentation.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was initially identified during a sonar mapping expedition on November 17, 2024. Further investigation using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) on April 24, 2025, confirmed the presence of the canal boat. The discovery was made by the team at SonarGuy.com, who have documented the find and continue to explore the lake for additional historical artifacts. (Cayuga Lake – Shipwrecks of Upstate NY)
Notmars & Advisories
As of now, there are no official navigational warnings or advisories issued for this wreck site. However, divers and researchers are advised to exercise caution and follow local regulations when exploring submerged cultural resources.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The discovery of the Ithaca Canal Boat offers a tangible connection to the rich maritime history of the Finger Lakes region. As research and exploration continue, this site promises to yield further insights into the construction, operation, and eventual fate of canal boats that once traversed New York’s waterways. (Seneca Lake surrenders its watery secrets | New York State Parks …)
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Ithaca Canal Boat, Cayuga Lake shipwreck, 19th-century canal boat, Finger Lakes maritime history
- Categories: Maritime Archaeology, Shipwreck Discoveries, Canal Transportation History
- Glossary Terms:
- Canal Boat: A flat-bottomed vessel designed for use on canals, primarily for transporting goods.
- ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle): An uncrewed submersible used for underwater exploration and data collection.
- Sonar Mapping: A technique that uses sound waves to detect and map objects underwater. (Shipwreck Hunting with Sonar Equipped Underwater Drone)
For more information and updates on this discovery, visit SonarGuy.com. (Cayuga Lake – Shipwrecks of Upstate NY)
3D Model by Sonarguy.com