(wooden bulk-freight Barge, built 1889)

Identification & Vessel Information

  • Name: Shawmut
  • Type: Unrigged wooden Barge for bulk freight
  • Built: 1889, Buffalo, New York
  • Tonnage: 251 gross tons (231 net tons) (alcheminc.com)
  • Operated: Under tow via Tug in Lake Erie freight service

Final Incident – November 2, 1909 (Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie)

  • Date: November 2, 1909
  • Situation: While under tow in Buffalo harbor, Shawmut collided with the Steamer America
  • Outcome: The collision caused Shawmut to founder and sink in the harbor (alcheminc.com)
  • Casualties: Records indicate “none of 2”—no crew fatalities from the two aboard (alcheminc.com)

Disposition & Aftermath

  • Status: Declared a total constructive loss and dropped from registry
  • Salvage: While part of the infrastructure may have been salvaged, there is no record of formal recovery operations

Gaps & Research Opportunities

  • Crew Identities: The names and roles of the two crew members onboard are unrecorded. These could be found via Buffalo port logs or local newspaper archives (e.g., Buffalo Evening News, November 1909).
  • Tow Configuration: Details regarding the tow Tug and method could help reconstruct the collision scenario—port transaction records or tow company archives may contain this data.
  • Collision Dynamics: Conditions and navigational decisions leading to collision are undocumented; harbor pilot logs or Coast Guard incident forms might fill in the context.
  • Wreck Site: The wreck likely remains in shallow harbor waters; modern hydrographic charts or Buffalo River surveys could locate remnants or note navigational hazards.
  • Insurance or Legal Proceedings: Claims filed or lawsuits could shed light on financial ramifications and responsibility for the collision.

Summary

The Shawmut, a 251-ton wooden Barge built in 1889, sank in Buffalo Harbor on November 2, 1909, following a collision with the Steamer America. Despite the sinking, both crew members survived. The Barge was written off as a Total Loss without formal salvage operations documented. Additional research—into harbor records, crew lists, and legal claims—can enrich the vessel’s final story.