Pot Ash Point Canal Boat

The Pot Ash Point Canal Boat is a pre-1862 class standard canal boat. The Pot Ash Point Canal Boat is in a poor state of preservation.  The vessel’s bow is intact, but much of the remainder is disarticulated.  Both sides have torn away from the hull, and now lie flat on the bottom.  The deck has also collapsed, and now rests on top of the canal boats’ last cargo: a load of quarried stone.

The name and exact details of the sinking of the Pot Ash Point Canal Boat are unknown. Despite extensive historical research we have been unable to find additional information about this wreck site or the identification of this vessel.

The canal boat’s bow contains a number of interesting features, although most are now entirely covered with zebra mussels. A windlass is located just abaft the stem, while cleats and fairleads are mounted on the gunwale. The exterior of the bow area has seven sets of wooden “rub rails” used to cushion impacts with other canal boats or the canal locks.  The central portion of the vessel is characterized by a mass of jumbled timber, making many features difficult to discern.  The waterlogged decking and deck beams have collapsed onto, and warped around the vessel’s final cargo of quarried stone.  The stern is more intact and contains features such as the rudder post, a barndoor rudder and several cleats. 

Features of Interest

• The wreck site is approximately 85’ long, 20’ wide due to the collapsed nature of the hull.
• Bow contains a windlass, fairleads and cleats.
• Large chunks of quarried stone can be seen throughout the central portion of the hull.
• Rigging for the vessel.
• Original hull paint is still visible in a number of locations.

Diving Information

• Experience level: Open Water
• Depth of water: 35’
• Buoyancy should be carefully controlled to avoid damaging this intact shipwreck and disturbing the sediments which could reduce visibility dramatically
• MOVING OR REMOVAL OF ARTIFACTS IS ILLEGAL

Location

• Latitude: 44° 6’16.68″N
• Longitude: 73°23’36.78″W
• The wreck lies approximately 1 mile south of Pot Ash Point