Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sodus Bay Barge (Stu Sill Barge)
- Type: Steel barge
- Year Built: ca. 1910–1914 (estimated)
- Builder: Unknown (U.S. Panama Canal construction contract)
- Dimensions: Approximately 120 ft (36.5 m) long
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded
- Depth at Wreck Site: 1.5 m / 5 ft
- Location: South shore of Sodus Bay, west of 2nd Creek, Wayne County, New York
- Coordinates: 43° 15' 13.50" N 76° 58' 49" W
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: Stu Sill Sr., Sill’s Marina (later Katlynn Harbor)
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steel barge, originally part of surplus from Panama Canal construction.
Description
The Sodus Bay Barge, also known as the Stu Sill Barge, is a steel barge believed to have been built between 1910 and 1914. It is estimated to be approximately 120 feet (36.5 meters) long and features a reinforced deck. The barge is located in shallow waters, with a depth ranging from 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters), making it accessible for divers and small craft.
History
Following the completion of the Panama Canal, many barges used in its construction were sold as surplus. At least six of these barges were purchased by Stu Sill Sr., the owner of a marina in Sodus Point, New York. Local oral history suggests that one of these barges was scuttled on the south shore of Sodus Bay to prevent competition with other local businesses.
Significant Incidents
- Reportedly scuttled to prevent competition, according to local oral history.
Final Disposition
The Sodus Bay Barge has been documented by Shotline Diving during surveys in 2025. It remains in situ and is not charted as a navigational hazard, although small craft may occasionally scrape the hull at low water levels.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is partially visible at the surface, with the steel deck and bollard observable in calm conditions. Drone imaging has revealed the outline of the rectangular hull beneath shallow sediment. No formal underwater mapping has been conducted to date.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sodus-bay-barge-stu-sill-barge” title=”References & Links”]
Divers can access the Sodus Bay Barge from the shoreline or by small craft. The dive conditions are characterized by shallow depths, soft sediment, and vegetation cover during the summer months. Visibility can be variable, often less than 10 feet (3 meters), and no permits are required for diving.
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
Other Names: None recorded
Official Number: None
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Steel barge (Panama Canal construction surplus)
Builder: Unknown (U.S. Panama Canal construction contract)
Year Built: ca. 1910–1914 (estimated)
Dimensions: Unknown; comparable barges ~120 ft (36.5 m) long
Material: Steel with reinforced deck
Tonnage: Not recorded
Date of Loss: ca. 1940s (unconfirmed local account)
Location: South shore of Sodus Bay, west of 2nd Creek, Wayne County, New York
Coordinates: 43° 15′ 13.50″ N 76° 58′ 49″ W
Depth: 3–6 ft (0.9–1.8 m)
Home Port: Sodus Point, NY
Owners: Stu Sill Sr., Sill’s Marina (later Katlynn Harbor)
Crew: None (unmanned barge)
Casualties: None
Located By & Date Found
Long known to local boaters and divers. Documented by Shotline Diving during nearshore wreck surveys of Sodus Bay in 2025. Its origin was traced to surplus Panama Canal construction barges owned by Stu Sill Sr.
Notmars & Advisories
Not charted as a navigational hazard. Very shallow location; small craft and paddlers occasionally report scraping hulls on steel plating at low water levels.
Dive Information
Access: Shoreline or small craft
Entry Point: South shore of Sodus Bay (west of 2nd Creek)
Conditions: Shallow, soft sediment, vegetation cover in summer
Depth Range: 3–6 ft (0.9–1.8 m)
Visibility: Variable, often <10 ft (3 m)
Permits: Not required
Dive Support: Shore-based; no charter operations necessary
Documented Statements & Extracts
“Following the creation of the Panama Canal, many barges used in its construction were sold as surplus. At least six were purchased by Stu Sill Sr., owner of a Sodus Point marina. One was reportedly scuttled on the south shore of Sodus Bay to prevent competition.” — Local oral history, 20th-century accounts.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Partial surface visibility of the steel deck and bollard in calm water. Drone imaging reveals outline of rectangular hull under shallow sediment. No formal underwater mapping to date.
Resources & Links
- Katlynn Harbor Marina (Former Sill’s Marina)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Deep World – Stu Sill Barge
References
- Shotline Diving Field Notes, Sodus Bay Survey 2025.
- Local oral histories compiled by Sodus Bay Historical Society.
- U.S. Government Surplus Barge Sales Records, 1915–1918 (Panama Canal Construction).