Derrick Boat No. 8

Derrick Boat No. 8 is a steel work vessel built for lifting and moving heavy loads on canals. Today it rests at the H. Lee White Marine Museum and displays its sturdy steel construction and steam-powered equipment.

The ship was built in 1927 by New York State Public Works and worked until 1974 on the New York State Barge Canal. It was part of the infrastructure that kept this important shipping route maintained and operating.

The boat shows how workers in the early 1900s maintained ships and moved cargo on canals. This kind of work shaped daily life along New York's waterways for many decades.

The boat is located at the H. Lee White Marine Museum in Oswego and is accessible through the museum. Visitors should note that it is an old industrial vessel and some areas may be harder to reach.

This boat was one of the few steam-powered vessels of its kind that served its original purpose for nearly 50 years. Most such ships were scrapped, but this one was preserved instead.

Location: Oswego

Inception: 1927

GPS coordinates: 43.46167,-76.51611

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07