Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Massasoit
- Type: wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 238 gross tons / 238 net tons
- Location: Waterworks intake crib, Niagara River
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: 51214
- Original Owners: N/A
- Number of Masts: N/A
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Massasoit is classified as a wooden schooner-barge, specifically an unrigged lumber scow used for transporting lumber on the Niagara River.
Description
At the time of her loss, the Massasoit was engaged in carrying lumber. She struck the waterworks intake crib and grounded violently, leading to her hull being declared unrecoverable and uneconomical to salvage. Subsequently, the wreck was dynamited to eliminate the hazard to navigation.
History
The Massasoit was built in 1882, although some records indicate a construction year of 1874, possibly due to name reuse. She was registered under the official number 51214 and had a gross and net tonnage of 238 tons. The vessel was lost on November 25, 1904, when she stranded on the waterworks intake crib in the Niagara River, part of the Lake Erie system.
Significant Incidents
- No crew was aboard at the time of the incident, resulting in no casualties. The incident was non-fatal, and no crew rescue was necessary.
Final Disposition
The Massasoit was declared a total loss after stranding on the intake crib. The hull was removed via dynamite to clear the navigational obstruction, and the official registry entry was terminated following the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located at the waterworks intake crib in the Niagara River. Due to the removal and dynamiting operations, no remains of the vessel are available today.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”massasoit-us-51214″ title=”References & Links”]
While the Massasoit no longer exists as a physical wreck, its history remains significant in the context of maritime navigation and safety in the Niagara River area.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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