Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: U.S. 240
- Type: Steel barge, bulk freight
- Year Built: 1919
- Builder: Foundation Construction Co., Erie, Pennsylvania
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 294 gross tons, 263 net tons
- Location: Off Port Colborne, Ontario, near Windmill Point
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: 167523
- Original Owners: U.S. Shipping Board
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The U.S. 240 was a steel-hulled bulk freight barge, designed to be towed by larger steamships rather than operating under its own power. Barges like this were commonly used in Great Lakes and coastal trade, carrying heavy bulk cargoes such as sulphur, coal, iron ore, and limestone.
Description
The U.S. 240 was built in 1919 by the Foundation Construction Co. in Erie, Pennsylvania, as part of a wartime shipbuilding effort for the United States Shipping Board. It was likely used to transport bulk goods along the Great Lakes and East Coast trade routes.
On September 13, 1923, the U.S. 240 was en route from Cleveland, Ohio, to New York City, carrying a load of sulphur. While traveling off Port Colborne, Ontario, near Windmill Point, the vessel encountered a severe storm. The rough weather overwhelmed the barge, and it foundered, sinking beneath the waves.
Three crew members lost their lives, making this a tragic loss despite the vessel’s relatively short career.
History
The U.S. 240 was laid down for the U.S. Shipping Board during World War I. Its service history primarily involved transporting bulk goods, particularly in the Great Lakes region.
Significant Incidents
- Loss of Life: 3 fatalities occurred during the sinking of the U.S. 240.
- Cause of Loss: The vessel foundered in a storm on September 13, 1923.
Final Disposition
The U.S. 240 sank in deep water near Windmill Point, and no significant salvage efforts were reported. Given its steel hull, parts of the wreck may still exist on the lakebed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been documented. The waters off Port Colborne and Windmill Point have claimed multiple shipwrecks, as the area is prone to strong storms and shifting lakebed conditions.
Any remaining wreckage may be buried in sediment or scattered by currents.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”u-s-240″ title=”References & Links”]
The U.S. 240 was a wartime-built steel barge that played a role in post-World War I bulk freight transport. Its loss in 1923 near Port Colborne highlights the dangers of towing large, unpowered vessels in rough weather. With three crew members lost, it remains a tragic yet largely forgotten wreck in Lake Erie’s maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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