1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
This site represents the remains of a large steel vessel wreck, widely believed to be the hull of a former U.S. Navy Landing Ship, Tank (LST), lost post–World War II while under civilian tow. The wreck lies along the Lake Erie shoreline near Portland, New York, below eroding cliffs adjacent to former farmland.
The vessel is unidentified by hull number at this time. No official wartime loss is associated with the site. Physical characteristics and historical context strongly support identification as a surplus LST hull rather than a commercial freighter or barge.
Approximate coordinates reported for the site are 42°24′26.32″ N, 79°27′48.85″ W. Water depth varies with lake level and shoreline conditions; remaining structure is primarily at or just below the waterline.
Access is shoreline-based. Visibility and exposure are highly dependent on Lake Erie conditions.
2. CONSTRUCTION & OWNERSHIP
The vessel is believed to have been constructed as a Landing Ship, Tank (LST) during World War II, a class of flat-bottomed, broad-beam steel ships designed for amphibious operations.
- Vessel Type: Landing Ship, Tank (probable)
- Builder: Details not yet confirmed
- Year Built: Likely 1942–1945
- Place of Build: United States (wartime naval yard)
- Ownership at Time of Loss: Civilian (former U.S. Navy surplus)
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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