Wreck Report: ICEBERG

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: ICEBERG

•Type of Wreck: Wooden Brig

•Location: Unknown (Disappeared, exact site not located)

•Dimensions: Two-masted vessel, 80 tons

•Depth of Wreck: Unknown (disappeared without a trace)

•Site Status: Lost; remains unidentified

Vessel Type Description

The ICEBERG, a wooden Brig, was built in 1857 at Counter’s Shipyard (also known as “Railway Shipyard”) in Hamilton, Ontario. This 80-ton vessel was specifically designed for potential Arctic exploration. Constructed under the guidance of Dr. John Rae, a renowned Arctic explorer, the ICEBERG was a sturdy, two-masted vessel intended to endure challenging conditions. Its purpose was to participate in the search for the lost Franklin Arctic Expedition after serving a season on the Great Lakes.

History

The ICEBERG was launched in 1857 with great promise. It was slated to serve as a coal transport vessel on the Great Lakes before making its way to England. In England, it would undergo modifications to prepare it for Arctic exploration under Dr. Rae’s leadership. The mission to uncover the fate of the Franklin Expedition lent the ICEBERG a special significance in the annals of maritime and exploration history.

On August 12, 1857, the ICEBERG departed from the Welland Canal, carrying a load of coal destined for Kingston, Ontario. Tragically, the vessel never reached its destination. It vanished without warning, and its crew was lost. The cause of its disappearance remains unknown, as the ICEBERG was last seen shortly after its departure.

By September 1857, fragments of the shipwreck began washing ashore along Lake Ontario, providing the only confirmation of its fate. The loss of the vessel and its entire crew left a mark on Great Lakes maritime history, as its connection to Arctic exploration elevated its story beyond that of a typical shipwreck.

Final Disposition

The ICEBERG disappeared without a trace in August 1857 during its voyage from the Welland Canal to Kingston, Ontario. The wreck has not been located, and the cause of its sinking remains one of the enduring mysteries of the Great Lakes. The discovery of wreckage in September 1857 is the sole evidence of its demise.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the ICEBERG has never been identified or located. Debris washed ashore in September 1857, offering the only tangible connection to its sinking.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specific to the ICEBERG. Mariners navigating Lake Ontario should exercise caution near historical wreck sites and in waters known for previous incidents.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides in-depth records and historical accounts of vessels like the ICEBERG.

•Great Lakes Vessels Online Index: Detailed information about Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Archival information on shipwrecks and related incidents.

•Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Focused on preserving and documenting Ontario’s submerged cultural heritage.

Conclusion

The ICEBERG stands as one of the most compelling maritime mysteries of the Great Lakes. Its ties to Arctic exploration, guided by the legendary Dr. John Rae, make its brief existence historically significant. The vessel’s disappearance, along with its entire crew, has become a tragic and enduring enigma. Though fragments of its wreckage were found in 1857, the location of the ICEBERG’s final resting place remains undiscovered. Its story highlights both the daring ambitions of 19th-century exploration and the unpredictable dangers of Great Lakes navigation.

Keywords

ICEBERG, Wooden Brig, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Arctic Exploration, Dr. John Rae, Franklin Expedition, Maritime History, 1857 Shipwreck.