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.

SHIPWRECK REPORT: SUNBEAM

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Sunbeam
• Type: Wooden Anti-Submarine Patrol Boat (later private yacht)
• Built: 1917
• Builder: Brooklyn Navy Yard, New York
• Ownership at Incident: Seymour Lasker
• Final Location: Niagara River, near the Old Scow’s position
• Coordinates: Approximate area near Chippawa, Ontario
• VESSEL DESCRIPTION
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Original Use: U.S. Navy anti-submarine patrol vessel during World War I
  • Dimensions: Exact dimensions not available
  • Conversion Plans: After its sale, the Sunbeam was to be converted into a private yacht by its new owner.

HISTORY

Construction and Military Service:

The Sunbeam was built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1917 for use by the U.S. Navy during World War I. It served as an anti-submarine patrol boat in coastal and inland waters.

Post-War Ownership:

After the war, the vessel was declared surplus and sold to Seymour Lasker, who planned to convert it into a private pleasure yacht.

FINAL INCIDENT

Date: May 1923

Location: Niagara River, near Chippawa

• Event Summary:
  • Lasker, accompanied by three companions, departed New York aboard the Sunbeam, intending to travel to Lake Michigan for the yacht’s conversion.
  • Due to a navigational error, the vessel entered the Niagara River instead of Lake Erie.
  • Docked at Chippawa for the night, the Sunbeam broke loose, drifted downstream, and ran aground near the position of the Old Scow, less than a mile from Horseshoe Falls.
• Outcome:
  • The vessel tipped over and ran aground.
  • Efforts to salvage the Sunbeam were abandoned due to the high cost.

POST-INCIDENT EVENTS

Ownership Change:

• Lasker sold the stranded vessel to local daredevil Red Hill Sr. for one dollar.
• Hill also deemed salvage too expensive, leaving the Sunbeam to deteriorate.

Deterioration:

• Over the years, the Sunbeam was gradually broken apart by ice and river currents.
• By the late 1930s, the wooden hull had completely disintegrated.

Remnants:

Occasionally, parts of the engine and propeller shaft are visible during periods of low water in the Niagara River.

SIGNIFICANCE

The story of the Sunbeam is a unique addition to the maritime history of the Niagara River. Its accidental entry into the Niagara River and its proximity to the legendary Old Scow make it a compelling narrative of navigation errors and the power of the river. The vessel’s eventual destruction also highlights the challenges of salvaging wooden vessels in such a hazardous environment.

CURRENT CONDITION

Visibility: No major remnants are accessible or intact; only small components, such as the engine or propeller shaft, may occasionally be visible during low water levels.

Access: The wreck site is not suitable for diving due to the strong currents and hazardous location in the Niagara River.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Niagara Falls Heritage – 150 Niagara Falls History Archive

CONCLUSION

The Sunbeam serves as a lesser-known counterpart to the nearby Old Scow, with both vessels becoming symbolic of the hazards of the Niagara River. While the Sunbeam no longer exists as a tangible wreck, its story remains an intriguing chapter in the history of the region, blending human error, nature’s power, and maritime lore.

KEYWORDS

#Sunbeam #Shipwreck #NiagaraRiver #NiagaraFallsHistory #MaritimeHistory #Wreckage

uss-sunbeam 1923-05-14 07:54:00