Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name: LANCASTER

Vessel Type: River Barge

Built By: Alexander Stickler (or Streckler)

Construction Year: 1873

Build Location: Lancaster, Ontario, Canada

Specifications

•Gross Tonnage: 219.7 tons

•Length: 125.1 feet (38.1 meters)

•Capacity: 17,500 bushels

•Hull Design: Wooden, round Stern, no masts

Vessel History

The LANCASTER was constructed in 1873 in Lancaster, Ontario, based on the designs of similar barges like the GLENGARRY, LORNE, and ROYAL OAK. As a river Barge, it was primarily engaged in the bulk transport of grains and other cargoes across the waterways of Ontario and the Great Lakes.

•Early Career:

In 1874, the LANCASTER was rated 1 and valued at $7,000, indicating its high initial quality and utility. Over time, as it aged and required repairs, its rating dropped to A2 in 1884 and B1 by 1897. Its value decreased in tandem, reflecting wear and depreciation.

•Rebuilds and Repairs:

The Barge underwent substantial repairs and rebuilds during its career:

•1880–1881: $6,000 invested in a significant Rebuild.

•1884: Overhauled at Portsmouth, receiving a new bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg, Bilge cheeks, floors, ceiling, frames, and Keelson.

•1894: Additional repairs were conducted to keep the vessel operational.

Final Ownership

In 1904, the LANCASTER was listed as being owned by Pierre Paul of Ste.-Anne-de-Sorel, Quebec, who continued ownership through at least 1907. During its later years, the LANCASTER primarily operated in the St. Lawrence and Georgian Bay regions.

Final Disposition

•Date Lost: 1907 (exact details unspecified)

•Location of Loss: Bayfield Sound, Georgian Bay

•The circumstances surrounding the sinking are not well-documented. However, the LANCASTER was likely lost during routine operations, possibly due to weather, structural issues, or navigational challenges common in Georgian Bay.

•Registry Closure: July 6, 1915

Despite being lost in 1907, the vessel’s registry remained open until 1915, possibly due to delays in reporting or administrative processing.

Historical Significance

The LANCASTER serves as a classic example of the river barges that were integral to the economic development of Canada’s inland waterways. Its career spanned more than three decades, reflecting the heavy use and robust designs of such vessels during the 19th century. The repeated rebuilds demonstrate its importance to its owners, who invested heavily in maintaining the Barge for active service.

Sources & References

1.J. Gaskin Letter Book (1884–86)

2.Montreal Transportation Co. Kingston Grain Ledger (1898)

3.Alpena Public Library Great Lakes Maritime Database

4.Association of Canadian Lake Underwriters Marine Register (1874)

5.Inland Lloyd’s Vessel Register Canadian Hulls (1890, 1892, 1897)

6.Marine Museum of the Great Lakes Canadian Ship Registers Online

7.Kingston Daily News (21 September 1872, 7 May 1874)

Legacy

The LANCASTER is remembered as one of the many barges that defined the bulk transportation era on the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. Its ultimate demise in Georgian Bay adds to the long history of maritime challenges faced by vessels navigating the unpredictable conditions of Canada’s inland seas.