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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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