Identification & Site Information

• Name: MAGGIE (formerly ONEIDA)
• Vessel Type: River Barge (originally a Schooner)
• Length: 134.5 feet (41 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 375 tons
• Register Tonnage: 319.44 tons
• Capacity: 18,000 bushels
• Location of Loss: Off Presque Isle, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Date of Loss: 1918
• Coordinates: Not specified
• Depth at Wreck Site: Unknown

Vessel Type Description

The MAGGIE began its service as a wooden Schooner-Barge, later converted into a fully rigged Barge. Initially built for general cargo, it carried coal, iron ore, and grain. Featuring a round Stern, it underwent several rebuilds to adapt to changing commercial demands, including lengthening and structural improvements.

History

Construction & Early Service as ONEIDA (1869–1885):

The vessel was launched on April 24, 1869, as the ONEIDA, built by Henry Rooney at Garden Island, Ontario, for the St. Lawrence & Chicago Forwarding Co. The Schooner was part of a booming maritime trade network connecting the Great Lakes. Early on, it was rigged with two masts, valued at $9,000 in 1874, and carried a variety of cargo, including grain and coal.

In June 1881, the ONEIDA ran aground in the Sault Rapids near Dickinson’s Landing, Ontario, sustaining severe damage that required jettisoning part of its cargo. The vessel was towed to Kingston for repairs and refitted with a new Stern in 1882.

Rebuild & Renaming to MAGGIE (1885):

In 1885, the vessel underwent a significant Rebuild and was renamed MAGGIE, honoring Margaret “Maggie” Gaskin, the eldest daughter of John Gaskin, a prominent shipping figure. With updated specifications and increased tonnage, the MAGGIE resumed operations, focusing on coal and other bulk goods trades.

Later Ownership & Final Fate (1902–1918):

By 1902, the Montreal Transportation Co. listed the MAGGIE as having little operational value. It changed ownership several times over the next decade, with Alex Laplante of Lachine, Quebec, owning it from 1904 to 1914, and P.C. Bonham of Montreal operating it from 1915 to 1918.

The MAGGIE met its fate in 1918, foundering off Presque Isle, Michigan, while carrying iron ore. The circumstances of the sinking are not well-documented, but it marked the end of nearly 50 years of service. Despite its loss, the vessel was not officially removed from the registry until December 10, 1937.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the MAGGIE remains unlocated, and details about its exact sinking are scarce. It is presumed to rest somewhere off Presque Isle, Michigan, in Lake Huron, potentially buried beneath sediment after decades underwater.

Historical Significance

The MAGGIE exemplifies the adaptability and resilience of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its early days as the ONEIDA, navigating bustling trade routes, to its later years as a Barge in the coal and iron trades, the vessel served as a vital link in the region’s maritime economy. The multiple rebuilds and renaming reflect the changing priorities of the shipping industry during this period.

Resources & Links

• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes: Canadian Ship Registers Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File David Swayze Shipwreck Database
• Kingston Daily News Archives Kingston Daily News Archives
• Association of Canadian Lake Underwriters Marine Register Archives Canada
• Great Lakes Ships Database Great Lakes Ships
• Swainson’s “A Shipping Empire: Garden Island” Garden Island History
• Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 4). Garden Island (Ontario). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:34, January 24, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Garden_Island_(Ontario)&oldid=1188324974

Keywords

MAGGIE, ONEIDA, River Barge, Lake Huron Shipwreck, Presque Isle, Great Lakes Maritime History, Garden Island Ontario, Henry Roney, Montreal Transportation Co.

Conclusion

The MAGGIE reflects the evolution of shipping on the Great Lakes during a transformative period in maritime history. From its launch in 1869 as the ONEIDA to its eventual loss in 1918, the vessel’s life tells a story of adaptability, perseverance, and the inherent risks of maritime commerce. Though its wreck remains undiscovered, the legacy of the MAGGIE endures as part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes shipping history.