IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: M. Lalonde (also known as Lalonde River Barge)

•Type: River Barge

•Built At: Coteau Landing, Quebec, Canada

•Construction Year: 1875

•Builder: Jules ? (Surname unknown)

•Official Number: C74203

•Dimensions:

•Length: 131 ft (approx. 39.9 m)

•Tonnage: 340 gross tons, 250.15 register tons

•Design: Mastless, round Stern

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The M. Lalonde was a mastless river Barge, uniquely designed for transporting bulk goods along Quebec’s waterways and the Great Lakes. It relied entirely on towing or pushing by tugboats, making it well-suited for navigating rivers and canals. Its round Stern was a distinctive feature, emphasizing its specialized design for these waterway conditions.

HISTORY

The M. Lalonde was constructed in 1875 at Coteau Landing, Quebec, by a builder known only as Jules. Initially owned by L. Lalonde, the vessel became a vital asset for transporting large cargoes across the region’s interconnected waterways.

Key Events:

•1879: Chartered by the Montreal Transportation Co., introducing the Barge to a broader range of operations.

•1880: The Bohemian incident: A collision in the Lachine Canal caused the draining of the basin above Lock Two. The M. Lalonde suffered significant flooding, with 4 feet of water filling the hold and resulting in the loss of 3,000 bushels of cargo.

•Fall 1880: Likely acquired by the Montreal Transportation Co.

•1884: Ownership transferred to Paradis of Montreal.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The M. Lalonde met its end in 1884, foundering on Lake Ontario under circumstances that remain unclear. The vessel’s registry was formally closed on April 2, 1887, marking the official conclusion of its service.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the M. Lalonde. As a river Barge, it operated primarily in inland waterways before its loss in Lake Ontario.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the M. Lalonde has not been located, and its exact resting place in Lake Ontario remains unknown.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The condition and location of the M. Lalonde are unknown, as the wreck has not been identified or explored. Its disappearance adds to the numerous unsolved mysteries of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships: Offers vessel histories and specifications.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive database for historical records.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed descriptions of shipwrecks, potentially including the M. Lalonde.

•Divers Alert Magazine: Articles on historical shipwrecks and diving resources.

KEYWORDS

M. Lalonde, Lalonde River Barge, Bohemian incident, Lachine Canal, Montreal Transportation Co., Lake Ontario, shipwreck, maritime history, Great Lakes.

ANALYSIS

The M. Lalonde exemplified the pivotal role of river barges in the maritime commerce of Quebec and the Great Lakes. Its involvement in the Bohemian incident of 1880 highlights the risks of navigating these waterways, while its eventual foundering in 1884 underlines the perils of operating on the Great Lakes. Though no trace of the vessel has been found, the M. Lalonde remains a key figure in the history of regional shipping, embodying the challenges and resilience of 19th-century maritime practices.