Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: DAKOTA

•Vessel Type: Barge

•Build Date: Launched June 23, 1885

•Builder: Henry Roney, Garden Island, Ontario

•Specifications:

•Gross Tonnage: 535.34 tons

•Net Tonnage: 516.49 tons

•Length: 170.4 feet between perpendiculars (180 feet overall in some records)

•Capacity: 38,000 bushels

•Masts: Originally three, later reduced to one

•Design: Round Stern, no spars

•Final Location: Wrecked at Port Albert, Ontario, Lake Huron

•Coordinates: Not specified

•Final Registry Closure: March 1, 1927

Vessel Type Description

The DAKOTA was a wooden-hulled Barge designed to transport bulk goods, primarily coal and grain, across the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Its sturdy build and significant cargo capacity made it an essential component of the regional shipping industry. Originally launched with three masts, the vessel later transitioned to a single mast, reflecting its adaptation to changing operational requirements.

History

Initial Ownership and Operations

The DAKOTA was constructed for Kingston and Montreal Forwarding Co., serving in the coal trade between Charlotte (Rochester, New York) and Brockville, Ontario. Early in its career, the Barge demonstrated its capabilities by transporting record cargo loads, including:

•30,000 bushels of grain to Montreal in 1886.

•1,140 tons of coal from Charlotte to Brockville in 1887.

Incidents and Repairs

•July 1892: The DAKOTA ran aground near Oswego, New York, with a cargo of coal destined for Montreal. After being lightered of 400 tons, it was successfully refloated and repaired.

•1893: The Barge received a new Deck as part of extensive repairs.

Ownership Changes and Rebuilds

In 1906, the DAKOTA was transferred to the Montreal Transportation Co. as part of the acquisition of Kingston & Montreal Forwarding Co.

•1911: Underwent a significant Rebuild.

•1915: Received further repairs.

In 1919, the Barge was sold “as is” to A.A. Larocque, along with nine other vessels, for a total package price of $75,000. Ownership later passed to William Quarrier Stobo of Quebec City, who operated the vessel under several shipping companies, including Canada Import Co. and St. Lawrence Steve doring Co..

Final Years and Fate

The DAKOTA’s service concluded with its wrecking at Port Albert, Ontario, north of Goderich on Lake Huron, on August 31, 1926. Some records suggest the vessel was scrapped in 1927. The ship’s registry was officially closed on March 1, 1927.

Significance

The DAKOTA reflects the evolution of maritime trade on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its notable cargo records and long service life highlight the importance of wooden barges in facilitating bulk transport. The vessel’s history of rebuilds, repairs, and changing ownership demonstrates the adaptability required to sustain operations in a competitive and challenging environment.

Legacy and Questions

•The DAKOTA’s name aligns with a series of vessels named after Indigenous nations or territories, though it remains unclear whether the Barge was named directly for the Siouxan First Nation or the Dakota territories.

•Its wrecking at Port Albert and potential scrapping in 1927 mark the end of a vessel that played a significant role in the industrial shipping era of the Great Lakes.

Resources & References

1.David Swayze Shipwreck File

2.Great Lakes Ships Database

3.Maritime History of the Great Lakes

4.Alpena Public Library Great Lakes Maritime Database

5.Kingston & Montreal Forwarding Co. Records (Montreal Transportation Co. archives)

6.British Whig Historical Reports (various dates)

This comprehensive history cements the DAKOTA as a vital part of Great Lakes maritime heritage.