IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: WARRENKO (Formerly LET HER BE, CHICORA)
• Location: Bateaux Channel, Howe Island, St. Lawrence River, Ontario, Canada
• Coordinates: N 44° 17′ 00.0″ W 76° 29′ 00.0″ (approximate)
• Depth: When water is low, the wreck may be exposed.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The WARRENKO, originally built as a passenger Steamer named CHICORA in Liverpool, England, in 1864, had a storied past. The vessel was designed to run the Union blockade during the American Civil War and was equipped with a sleek design, minimal superstructure, and defensive armaments. Over time, the CHICORA was converted into a passenger Steamer for the Great Lakes and eventually transformed into a Barge named WARRENKO.

HISTORY

• 1864: Built as CHICORA in Liverpool, England, the vessel was designed to support the Confederacy during the American Civil War by running the Union blockade.
• 1865: After the fall of Charleston, the CHICORA became the last blockade runner to escape and made its way to Nassau before heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• 1867: The CHICORA was purchased by Canadian businessmen and brought to Collingwood, Ontario, where it was converted into a passenger Steamer.
• 1870s: The vessel was employed by the Canadian government to deliver mail and transport passengers, including during the Métis uprising.
• 1913: Renamed WARRENKO and repurposed as a Barge, the vessel was used primarily for transporting coal.
• 1938: The WARRENKO was struck by the freighter Sprucebay in Kingston Harbour and subsequently sank. It was later raised and taken to Howe Island.
• 1939: The vessel was scuttled and now rests at its final location in the Bateaux Channel near Howe Island.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the WARRENKO remains in the Bateaux Channel, and when water levels are low, portions of the wreck can be exposed. The site is a point of interest for both history enthusiasts and divers exploring the remnants of this storied vessel.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Canadian Shipwreck Database
• Great Lakes Ships

KEYWORDS

WARRENKO, LET HER BE, CHICORA, Howe Island, St. Lawrence River, Shipwreck, Civil War Blockade Runner, Great Lakes, Bateaux Channel, Diving Site

ANALYSIS

The WARRENKO‘s transition from a Confederate blockade runner to a Great Lakes passenger Steamer, and finally to a scuttled Barge, represents the dynamic history of maritime trade and warfare. The vessel’s repeated adaptations highlight the ingenuity of shipowners and the ever-evolving demands of naval architecture. Today, the wreck serves as a historical artifact, submerged in the St. Lawrence River, inviting divers and historians to explore and reflect on its past.