Identification & Site Information

•Type of Wreck: Drill Boat (formerly a Car Ferry/Rail Ferry)

•Location: Trent River/Bay of Quinte, Trenton, Ontario, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Exact coordinates not documented; likely buried under the town piers in Trenton, Ontario

•Dimensions:

•Length: 105 feet (32 meters)

•Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters)

•Depth: 9.4 feet (2.9 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 181 tons

•Net Tonnage: 90 tons

•Site Status: Abandoned in 1938, likely buried under the town piers.

Vessel Type Description

The William Armstrong was a wooden-hulled car Ferry built in 1876 by A. & J.W. Wood in Ogdensburg, New York. The vessel was initially designed to transport rail cars across the Great Lakes, featuring a reinforced bow sheathed in iron for navigating icy waters. Powered by a screw propeller and a high-pressure steam engine, it exemplified the rugged engineering required for its time. Later Rebuilt and renamed Mons Meg, the vessel served as a drill Barge, extending its utility.

History

Construction and Early Years

The William Armstrong was launched in 1876 and owned by Captain David H. Lyon of Brockville, Ontario. Initially employed as a car Ferry, it played a critical role in transporting rail cars and goods, showcasing innovative features such as an iron-sheathed bow to resist ice damage.

Key Incidents

•1889: Improperly loaded rail cars caused the Stern to dip, sinking the vessel under 83 feet of water. It was raised and repaired by the Ogdensburg Marine Railway Company in 1890.

•1904: Sank again at Ogdensburg, New York, but was salvaged and returned to service.

•1913: Rebuilt and converted into a drill Barge, renamed Mons Meg, and registered under Canadian official number C107688.

Final Years

The Mons Meg served as a drill Barge until 1938, when it was Abandoned in place near the town piers in Trenton, Ontario. By then, it had undergone multiple rebuilds and ownership changes, serving a variety of roles across the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The William Armstrong/Mons Meg was Abandoned in 1938, left beneath the town piers in Trenton, Ontario, within the Trent River/Bay of Quinte area. Its exact condition and current location are not fully documented, but the wreck is presumed to remain buried.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck. Mariners and construction crews near the Trenton town piers should exercise caution due to the potential for submerged wreckage.

Located By & Date

The William Armstrong was documented as Abandoned in 1938. The wreck has not been the subject of significant exploration or recovery efforts and remains largely undisturbed beneath the town piers.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is buried under the town piers in Trenton and is not accessible for exploration. Its condition is unknown, as no recent surveys or recovery attempts have been reported.

Resources & Links

1.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive records on Great Lakes shipwrecks.

2.Great Lakes Ships Database: Archival information on vessels and their histories.

3.Registry of the Dominion of Canada (1920): Official documentation of vessel specifications and ownership history.

Keywords

•William Armstrong

•Mons Meg

•Drill Boat

•Car Ferry

•Lake Ontario Shipwreck

•Trent River

•Bay of Quinte

•Trenton Ontario

•Abandoned Wrecks

•1938 Maritime History

Analysis

The William Armstrong/Mons Meg serves as a prime example of 19th-century maritime ingenuity and adaptability. Beginning as a car Ferry, the vessel underwent numerous transformations, highlighting the evolving needs of Great Lakes industries. Despite its multiple sinkings, salvages, and a final Conversion into a drill Barge, the ship’s abandonment in 1938 reflects the eventual obsolescence of such vessels. Today, its hidden location beneath the Trenton town piers preserves an untapped chapter of Canadian maritime history, representing both the resilience and challenges of Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.