Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Oliver L. Swift
- Type: Propeller steam tug, wood
- Year Built: 1859
- Builder: W. Crosthwaite, Buffalo
- Dimensions: Length: 57 ft (17.37 m); Beam: 14 ft (4.27 m); Depth: 7 ft (2.13 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 45 tons gross (45g), 25 tons net (25n)
- Location: Buffalo, New York
- Official Number: 18889
- Original Owners: Unspecified, but operated in Buffalo.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Oliver L. Swift was a wooden steam tug designed to tow vessels and assist with the movement of large ships through harbors or across waterways. Steam tugs played a critical role in the 19th-century shipping industry.
Description
The Oliver L. Swift was built in 1859 by W. Crosthwaite at Buffalo, New York. In 1868, the tug was caught in a storm near Buffalo and likely sank in the Niagara River, though specific details of the incident remain unclear. The tug’s final moments occurred when it was overwhelmed by severe weather.
Her wreck was discovered and winched up from the bottom in August of 1869 by the tug Protection. Once raised, the Oliver L. Swift was towed back to Buffalo, where its machinery was removed, but the hull itself was abandoned after being deemed unfit for service.
There is some discrepancy about the build year, with most sources citing 1859, though certain records list 1845 as the construction year. However, 1859 is widely accepted as the correct date of construction.
History
After being recovered from the bottom of the river, the Oliver L. Swift‘s machinery was salvaged and likely reused. The tug’s hull was abandoned in Buffalo, and no further mention of it was made after this.
Significant Incidents
- The Oliver L. Swift sank in a storm in 1868, likely in the Niagara River near Buffalo.
- The wreck was located and raised in August 1869, with only the machinery salvaged.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Oliver L. Swift was located and raised in August 1869. It was found near Buffalo, possibly in the Niagara River. The wreck was not fully recovered; only the machinery was salvaged, and the hull was abandoned after that.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Oliver L. Swift serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of steam tugs to extreme weather on the Great Lakes. The wreck highlights the importance of maintenance for towing vessels and the challenges posed by unpredictable storms.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”oliver-l-swift-us-18889″ title=”References & Links”]
The Oliver L. Swift, a wooden steam tug, met its fate in 1868, likely sinking in the Niagara River near Buffalo, New York. Caught in a storm, the tug was winched from the river bottom in 1869, with its machinery salvaged but the hull abandoned. While there are some discrepancies regarding the exact build year, 1859 remains the widely accepted date of construction. The wreck serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early steam-powered vessels on the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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