Identification & Site Information

•Name: Freeman, D. (also known as Daniel Freeman)

•Type: Wooden Schooner Barge

•Official Number: Not provided in available records

•Location: Various locations documented; final disposition in Kingston, Ontario

•Coordinates: Specific wreck coordinates not available

•Depth: Not documented

Vessel Type Description

The Freeman, D. was a wooden Schooner Barge characterized by a single Deck and two masts. The vessel measured 113 feet (34.4 meters)in length, 24 feet (7.3 meters) in beam, and 8.7 feet (2.7 meters) in depth, with a Gross Tonnage of 160 tons. Schooner barges were widely used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo, such as coal and grain. They combined sail power with the ability to be towed by steam-powered vessels, making them versatile and economical for their time.

History

Construction & Early Ownership

The Freeman, D. was built by David Freeman in Port Burwell, Ontario. Its exact construction year is unclear, but its maiden voyage occurred on June 3, 1869, bound for Windsor, Ontario. The vessel was initially owned by David M. Foster of Port Burwell.

Ownership Changes & Service

The Schooner Barge changed hands several times:

•1871: Purchased by R. Wallace of Port Hope, Ontario.

•1881: Acquired by Downey et al., who conducted repairs and maintained the vessel for continued service.

•1882: Additional repairs indicated active use during this period.

Notable Incidents

•August 13, 1888: Ran ashore during a severe summer storm while en route from Oswego, New York, to Belleville, Ontario.

•December 6, 1893: Suffered another incident while bound for Charlotte, Ontario, though details are limited.

Final Role

By 1902, the Freeman, D. was retired from active service and converted into a grain storage hulk in Kingston, Ontario. This repurposing marked the vessel’s final years, as was common for aging schooners no longer seaworthy but still structurally useful.

Final Disposition

The ultimate fate of the Freeman, D. remains uncertain. After its Conversion to a storage hulk, the vessel may have been dismantled or Abandoned. No specific records of a wreck or documented final resting place are available.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or specific advisories related to the Freeman, D., as its wreck site or final location is undocumented. Any exploration in historical areas like Kingston, Ontario, should follow standard safety protocols and local regulations.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Wrecksite.eu

•Kingston Historical Society

•National Archives of Canada

Conclusion

The Freeman, D. represents the evolution of Schooner barges on the Great Lakes, transitioning from active cargo transport to a secondary role as a grain storage hulk. Its service history reflects the typical lifecycle of vessels during the 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting their importance to regional commerce. Despite limited details about its final years, the Freeman, D. remains a noteworthy example of Great Lakes maritime history.

Tags

#FreemanD #SchoonerBarge #GreatLakes #MaritimeHistory #LakeOntario #KingstonOntario #ShipwreckHistory