Shipwreck Report: Caroline (1848, Barge)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Caroline
• Year Built: 1848
• Vessel Type: Bulk freight Barge
• Built At: Garden Island, Ontario
• Original Owner: Dexter D. Calvin
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Tonnage (Old Style) 120

Historical Overview

The Caroline was a wooden Barge built in 1848 at Garden Island, Ontario, for Dexter D. Calvin, a prominent figure in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence shipping industries. It was designed to transport bulk freight such as grain, timber, and industrial materials.

By 1854, the vessel changed ownership to Glassford & Co., undergoing repairs that likely extended its service life. However, in November 1858, the Caroline met its end in the St. Lawrence River, part of a broader incident involving other barges in the fleet.

Final Voyage and Wreck Event

• Date of Loss: November 1858
• Final Cargo: Grain
• Location of Sinking: St. Lawrence River (exact location not specified but likely within a busy shipping corridor near or downstream of Kingston, Ontario).
• Cause: The Caroline sank in conjunction with two other barges, the Sophia and Margaret, which reportedly lost their deckloads of Railroad Iron during transit. The heavy cargo may have destabilized the vessels in rough weather or strong currents. The Caroline was declared a Total Loss.

Cargo and Economic Impact

The Caroline was carrying grain, a valuable commodity in the 19th century, likely destined for export markets via the St. Lawrence Seaway. Its loss, along with the Railroad Iron carried by the accompanying barges, would have represented a significant financial setback for its owners.

Location Notes

The Caroline sank in the St. Lawrence River, a critical transportation route connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. While the exact site of the wreck is not documented, it is likely in the river’s upper reaches near Kingston or along the Thousand Islands corridor, where shipping traffic was high, and hazards like strong currents, shallow waters, and submerged rocks posed significant risks.

Current Status

There is no record of a formal discovery or survey of the Caroline’s wreck. Its wooden construction and age make it unlikely that significant remains are intact. However, its location in the St. Lawrence River, an area rich in maritime history, suggests it may still lie undiscovered or fragmented.

Chronology of Ownership

• 1. 1848–1854: Owned by Dexter D. Calvin, Garden Island, Ontario.
• 2. 1854: Sold to Glassford & Co., possibly indicating a shift in its trade route or cargo focus.
• 3. 1858: Sank during a voyage carrying grain, marking the end of its service.

Notes and Sources

• Source Materials:

• Erik Heyl: Early American Steamers
• C. Patrick Labadie Collection
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships
• Remarks: The Caroline is part of the historical record of Garden Island’s shipbuilding industry, highlighting the risks of mid-19th century Great Lakes and St. Lawrence shipping.