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

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