Priscilla Dailey 🇺🇸

If you are exploring the maritime heritage of Bridgeport, Connecticut, you will find a truly unique piece of history resting on the west side of the Pequonnock River. The Priscilla Dailey, originally built in 1929 as the Elizabeth E. Newell, is a 111.1-foot wooden canal boat with a rich past.

Used to haul bulk cargo across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut harbors, this historic vessel was moored in Bridgeport before sinking alongside two other barges in the spring of 1974. Today, it stands as one of Connecticut's only shipwrecks listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visiting this rare artifact offers you a fascinating glimpse into early 20th-century water transportation, as its design closely mirrors traditional 19th-century canal boats.

You can observe its distinct rectangular hull profile, squared-off stern, bluntly rounded bow, and the small cabin near its stern. Because the submerged vessel has heavily deteriorated over time, a salvage operation would cause it to break apart, leaving it in its original aquatic resting spot. Time your view carefully to catch a glimpse of this delicate, enduring piece of regional canal history resting peacefully in the harbor.

What to see at Priscilla Dailey

• One of the few surviving wooden canal boats from the early 20th century
• One of Connecticut's only shipwrecks listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Features a 111.1-foot hull built in the style of 19th-century canal vessels
• Rests on the west side of Bridgeport's Pequonnock River

Visiting tips

Plan your view during neap tide when roughly one-third of the vessel's hull rises above the water.

How long: 30-60 minutes · Best time: At neap tide

How to get there & what’s nearby

Priscilla Dailey is easy to reach on Bridgeport’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo and Barnum Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bridgeport travel guide.