Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: United Workman
- Type: Wooden unrigged canal boat
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: Tonawanda, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 101 gross tons, 96 net tons
- Location: Near Rochester, New York
- Official Number: 164181
- Original Owners: Plattsburgh, New York
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The United Workman was an unrigged wooden canal boat, meaning it lacked sails or its own propulsion system and was likely towed by a tug or another vessel. Such canal boats were commonly used for cargo transport along the Erie Canal and Great Lakes waterways, carrying materials like coal, grain, lumber, or manufactured goods.
Description
Built in Tonawanda, New York, in 1891, the United Workman was part of the expanding Erie Canal and Great Lakes transportation network. By the late 19th century, wooden canal boats like this one were a critical part of commerce, linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River and Erie Canal.
While the exact circumstances of its final journey are unclear, the United Workman was burned near Rochester, New York, on November 14, 1912. No crew or passengers were aboard at the time, suggesting the boat may have been moored, abandoned, or awaiting cargo transport when the fire broke out.
It is uncertain whether the vessel was operating on Lake Ontario or within the Erie Canal system at the time of its loss. The lack of available details suggests that the vessel may not have been of high-profile commercial importance or that records of the incident were minimal.
History
The United Workman was likely destroyed beyond repair, with no salvage efforts recorded. If the vessel was on the Erie Canal, remnants could have been removed to maintain navigation, while if it was on Lake Ontario, wreckage might have sunk or been washed ashore.
Significant Incidents
- Lost to fire on November 14, 1912, near Rochester, New York.
- No crew or passengers were aboard at the time of the fire.
- Uncertainty exists regarding whether the vessel was on Lake Ontario or within the Erie Canal system during its loss.
Final Disposition
No confirmed discovery of wreckage has been documented. If lost on the Erie Canal, the area would have been dredged or cleared over time. No known modern navigational hazards linked to this wreck exist.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The United Workman remains unlocated, and no modern navigational hazards are associated with its loss. If lost on the Erie Canal, the area would have been maintained over time.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”united-workman-us-164181″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The United Workman was a typical late 19th-century wooden canal boat, playing a role in the regional economy by transporting goods through New York’s extensive waterway system. The circumstances of its fire and loss remain unclear, but its fate represents the gradual decline of wooden canal boats as steel-hulled vessels and rail transport became more dominant in the early 20th century.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: United Workman
- Former Names: Unknown
- Official Number: 164181
- Date Built & Launched: 1891
- Builder: Tonawanda, New York
- Specifications: 101 gross tons, 96 net tons
- Vessel Type: Wooden unrigged canal boat
- Date Lost: November 14, 1912
- Place of Loss: Near Rochester, New York
- Body of Water: Lake Ontario or Erie Canal system
- Cause of Loss: Fire
- Homeport: Plattsburgh, New York
Vessel Type
The United Workman was an unrigged wooden canal boat, meaning it lacked sails or its own propulsion system and was likely towed by a tug or another vessel. Such canal boats were commonly used for cargo transport along the Erie Canal and Great Lakes waterways, carrying materials like coal, grain, lumber, or manufactured goods.
Description & History
Built in Tonawanda, New York, in 1891, the United Workman was part of the expanding Erie Canal and Great Lakes transportation network. By the late 19th century, wooden canal boats like this one were a critical part of commerce, linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River and Erie Canal.
While the exact circumstances of its final journey are unclear, the United Workman was burned near Rochester, New York, on November 14, 1912. No crew or passengers were aboard at the time, suggesting the boat may have been moored, abandoned, or awaiting cargo transport when the fire broke out.
It is uncertain whether the vessel was operating on Lake Ontario or within the Erie Canal system at the time of its loss. The lack of available details suggests that the vessel may not have been of high-profile commercial importance or that records of the incident were minimal.
Final Disposition
The United Workman was likely destroyed beyond repair, with no salvage efforts recorded. If the vessel was on the Erie Canal, remnants could have been removed to maintain navigation, while if it was on Lake Ontario, wreckage might have sunk or been washed ashore.
Located By & Date Found
No confirmed discovery of wreckage has been documented.
Notmars & Advisories
No known modern navigational hazards linked to this wreck exist. If lost on the Erie Canal, the area would have been dredged or cleared over time.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks
Conclusion
The United Workman was a typical late 19th-century wooden canal boat, playing a role in the regional economy by transporting goods through New York’s extensive waterway system. The circumstances of its fire and loss remain unclear, but its fate represents the gradual decline of wooden canal boats as steel-hulled vessels and rail transport became more dominant in the early 20th century.
Keywords & Categories
Keywords: Erie Canal boat, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, Rochester maritime history, Great Lakes canal boats, 19th-century shipping
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario, Erie Canal losses, wooden canal boats, fire-related losses
Glossary Terms: Canal Boat, Towed Vessel, Erie Canal, Unrigged Vessel
united-workman-us-164181 1912-11-14 07:55:00