IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Ralph T. Holcomb (formerly Isaac Lincoln)

•Type: Steam Barge

•Build Year: 1898

•Builder: Sandusky, Ohio

•Dimensions:

•Length: 133.42 feet (40.7 meters)

•Beam: 30.16 feet (9.2 meters)

•Depth: 9.16 feet (2.8 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 375 tons

•Net: 165 tons

•Final Location: Cardinal, Ontario, St. Lawrence River

•Coordinates: Exact coordinates not specified

•Water Depth: 20 feet (7 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Ralph T. Holcomb was a steam Barge designed for cargo transportation, featuring a Screw Propulsion system. Originally built in 1898, it was a robust vessel well-suited for the harsh conditions of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The ship primarily hauled coal, a vital industrial fuel, reflecting the energy and transportation needs of early 20th-century industries. Its steel or wooden Hull, though now partially submerged, is a testament to the durable shipbuilding techniques of its era.

HISTORY

Role and Operations

The Ralph T. Holcomb initially served as a general cargo transport vessel, with significant upgrades when it was purchased by the Canada Starch Company in the early 1900s. The ship was converted for coal hauling, an essential task for fueling industrial operations. Regularly navigating the St. Lawrence River, it was a critical link in the supply chain, delivering coal to power the starch company’s processing facilities and other industrial applications.

The ship’s journey through ownership changes, from its origins in Sandusky, Ohio, to its final role with the Canada Starch Company, mirrors the economic shifts and industrial expansion of the time.

Sinking and Abandonment

At some point in the early 20th century, the Ralph T. Holcomb was retired and scuttled or sank near Cardinal, Ontario. Situated in an old canal bank, the exact circumstances of the sinking remain unclear, though mechanical failures, age, or the evolving infrastructure of the St. Lawrence River (such as the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway) likely contributed to its abandonment. By 1930, the vessel was no longer operational, its Hull left to rest near a mill in Cardinal.

THE WRECK SITE

The remains of the Ralph T. Holcomb are located in the old canal bank near Cardinal, Ontario, submerged in approximately 20 feet of water. Over time, the wreck has become partially encrusted with aquatic life, preserving some of its structure while nature reclaims the vessel.

Key Features:

•Location: Old canal system, likely within proximity to historical mill sites.

•Accessibility: The shallow depth makes it a potential site for divers and researchers. However, the site’s condition and accessibility are limited by a lack of formal preservation efforts.

•Historical Interest: The wreck provides insights into the industrial and maritime history of Canada, particularly the logistics of coal transportation along the St. Lawrence River.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Ralph T. Holcomb is a significant artifact of Canada’s industrial past, representing the intersection of maritime transportation and early 20th-century industrialization. Ships like the Holcomb were crucial for maintaining the flow of raw materials and energy resources before the advent of rail and road networks.

Its resting place near the Cardinal Canal underscores the importance of this waterway system in bypassing the rapids and hazards of the St. Lawrence River before modern shipping infrastructure rendered these canals obsolete. The vessel’s final chapter reflects broader trends in industrial and maritime evolution, including the shift from coal to more modern energy sources and transportation methods.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Ralph T. Holcomb was retired and Abandoned in Cardinal, Ontario, around 1930. The wreck’s condition is largely undocumented but is believed to remain partially buried and submerged near its final resting site. While its structural integrity has likely deteriorated, the wreck represents a unique opportunity for historical exploration and underwater archaeology.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Thousand Island Life

KEYWORDS

Ralph T. Holcomb, steam Barge, Isaac Lincoln, St. Lawrence River, Cardinal, coal transport, industrial maritime history, Great Lakes shipwrecks, early 20th-century industry.

CONCLUSION

The Ralph T. Holcomb played a vital role in fueling Canada’s industrial growth, serving as a coal hauler for the Canada Starch Company. Its wreck in the Cardinal Canal stands as a silent witness to a bygone era, offering a tangible connection to the history of maritime commerce and the transformative impact of waterways on early Canadian industry. The site remains an invaluable piece of maritime heritage, ripe for further exploration and preservation efforts.