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 The
Diamond Island Stone Boat was one of hundreds of wooden
canal boats that transported cargo throughout the
lake and Champlain Canal. The name of this boat, who
owned her, and when she navigated the lake have not
yet been determined. Similar in size and construction
to the coal Barge A.R. Noyes, the Stone Boat is a
flat-bottomed, vertically-sided vessel. There is no
evidence of an engine, nor of masts and sails, indication
that she had no independent means of propulsion. She
was instead towed from port to port by a tugboat,
or by mules on the canal.
On her last voyage the boat carried
a load of quarried stone that filled her hold from
stem to stern. The circumstances of her sinking are
unknown, but most likely she was separated from her
tow, leaving her to drift onto the rocky shore of
Diamond Island; or, the immense weight of stone in
her hold may have stressed the hull, opening seams
in the plaking and forcing her owners to attempt to
save the cargo and hull by running her ashore. Efforts
to save the vessel were obviously unsuccessful.
FEATURES OF INTEREST:
Size of wreck: 93' long; 14' wide
The stempost extends 8' above the bottom and is reinforced
by several heavy timbers.
The cargo of stone blocks lies stacked upon the frames
over the lenght of the wreck. The hull's frame timbers
and keelson are visible between the blocks.
In the decades since the boat sank, her sides have
been broken down by decay and winter ice, and now
lie on the bottom on both sides of the wreck, thus
exposing the massive stone blocks.
DIVING GUIDELINES:
Experience level: Beginner (Note:
currents can be very stong here making this an Advanced
dive - use caution)
Depth of water: 12' - 25'
Never leave your boat unattended. If you are swept
off the wreck someone in your boat must be prepared
to pick you up.
This is a popular fishing site. Watch for fishing
line and carry a knife.
LOCATION:
Immediately off the southeast side
of Diamond Island.
CAUTION: Currents can be very
strong here - always evaluate the site carefully before
diving.
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