Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

James H. Shrigley US 76214

Explore the wreck of the James H. Shrigley, a historical steambarge resting in Lake Ontario, known for its flush profile and rich maritime heritage.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: James H. Shrigley
  • Type: Wooden Steambarge (Cargo Vessel)
  • Year Built: 1881
  • Builder: Milwaukee Shipyard Co.
  • Dimensions: 171.6 ft (52.3 m) X 31.2 ft (9.5 m); Depth of hold: 11.6 ft (3.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 459.92 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 3.4 m / 11 ft
  • Location: Half a mile off Braddocks Point Lighthouse, near Charlotte, New York
  • Coordinates: 43.348750° N, -77.805806° W
  • Official Number: 76214
  • Original Owners: John Canfield and James H. Shrigley
  • Number of Masts: Not specified

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden Steambarge (Cargo Vessel)

Description

The James H. Shrigley was a large, reinforced wooden steambarge built for hauling heavy industrial materials such as coal and lumber across the Great Lakes. Featuring a compound engine with iron-reinforced boiler housing and diagonal strapped framing, the vessel was part of a class of ships built to withstand long freight runs and harsh lake conditions.

History

Built in 1881 by Milwaukee Shipyard Co., the James H. Shrigley was owned by John Canfield and James H. Shrigley of Manistee, Michigan. It spent nearly four decades as a workhorse of the Great Lakes shipping industry, primarily moving bulk commodities vital to the developing rail and construction sectors. Its Philadelphia-built 350-horsepower steeple compound engine powered a single propeller, providing substantial towing and cargo capacity.

Throughout her service life, she endured numerous hardships common to Great Lakes vessels—fire, mechanical breakdowns, and extreme weather. Despite these, she remained active and was a testament to Great Lakes maritime engineering resilience.

Significant Incidents

On August 18, 1920, while hauling coal near Charlotte, New York (just west of Rochester), the James H. Shrigley wrecked under unclear circumstances. She sank roughly half a mile off Braddocks Point Lighthouse, though all crew members were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Final Disposition

The wreck lies flat on the lakebed, composed of wooden planking flush with the bottom, and remains a significant heritage site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Located during NOAA hydrographic survey H-10138/1984, marked as a dangerous submerged wreck at a confirmed position with high accuracy. Still listed on NOAA Chart 14805 as a submerged danger; however, due to shallow depth and low relief, it does not pose a significant modern navigational hazard. Divers should note its flush-bottom profile, making detection difficult without sonar or visual references.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The James H. Shrigley is a stellar example of a Great Lakes industrial steambarge, reflecting the resilience, utility, and maritime innovation of its time. Serving faithfully for nearly 40 years, it met its fate near Charlotte, New York, and today lies submerged but remembered as part of the rich shipping heritage of Lake Ontario. As a relatively shallow and accessible site, it holds potential interest for heritage divers and marine archaeologists.