IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: Ida E.

Year of Build: 1887

Built at: Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA

Type: Steambarge (later converted for sand and gravel transport)

Hull Materials: Wood

Number of Decks: 1

Dimensions (Post-Rebuild):

•Length: 120.3 feet (36.6 meters)

•Beam: 29 feet (8.8 meters)

•Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)

Tonnage (Post-Rebuild): 198 gross tons

Engine: Single high-pressure engine, 18×20 inches, 250 horsepower

Final Registration Closed: 1942

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Ida E. was a wooden-hulled steambarge originally designed for service in the lumber industry. Built in 1887, it was powered by a single high-pressure engine with a 250-horsepower capacity, paired with a 7-foot by 17-foot Firebox Boiler producing 100 pounds of steam. This robust design allowed the vessel to handle the demanding conditions of the Great Lakes and later the St. Lawrence River. After significant modifications in 1917, the Ida E. transitioned into the sand and gravel industry, showcasing its adaptability and utility in various maritime sectors.

HISTORY

The Ida E. had a storied career spanning multiple industries and locations. It began its life serving the Manistee Salt & Lumber Co. in Michigan, engaging in the critical task of transporting lumber across the Great Lakes. Over the years, the vessel was sold to various private and corporate owners, including individuals from Michigan and, later, Canada.

Key Milestones:

•1909: Purchased by Grant Graham Horne of Wolfe Island, Ontario, marking its transition to Canadian waters.

•1910: Officially registered in Canada under the number C126222.

•1917: Underwent a significant Rebuild in Montreal. The vessel was shortened to 120.3 feet, widened to 29 feet, and its engines were removed. This Conversion prepared the Ida E. for use in the sand and gravel industry, serving companies such as River Sand Co. and Consolidated Oka Sand & Gravel Co.

•Final Operations: Operated around Montreal, Quebec, and the St. Lawrence River, continuing its role in industrial transport until its decommissioning.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Details of the Ida E.‘s sinking near Île Perrot, Quebec, remain unclear. Historical records do not specify the circumstances of its demise, but the vessel’s final registration was officially closed in 1942. It is presumed that the Ida E. was lost to the waters of the St. Lawrence River, bringing its long career to an end. Despite this, the ship’s service history highlights its adaptability and importance in North American industrial and maritime operations.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) have been identified for the Ida E. wreck site. However, mariners and researchers should remain cautious while navigating or exploring around Île Perrot and surrounding areas.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of Quebec: Comprehensive records on vessels like the Ida E. operating in the St. Lawrence River.

•Montreal Archives: Archival materials related to the maritime industries and vessels of Quebec.

CONCLUSION

The Ida E. exemplified the resilience and versatility of wooden steambarges in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its origins in the lumber trade in Michigan to its later role in Montreal’s sand and gravel industry, the vessel adapted to the evolving demands of commerce and transport. Although the specifics of its sinking remain a mystery, the Ida E. is remembered as a durable and functional vessel that served its owners well across multiple industries and waterways.

KEYWORDS

Ida E., Steambarge, Oshkosh Wisconsin, Montreal Quebec, Sand and Gravel Industry, Grant Graham Horne, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck, Île Perrot Quebec, Vessel Rebuild, St. Lawrence River.