Shipwreck Report: AUGUSTUS

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: AUGUSTUS

•Type: Schooner Barge

•Official Number: C96919

•Location: Snake Island, Lake Ontario

•GPS Coordinates: N 44° 11.771’ W 76° 33.517’

•Depth: 60 feet (18.3 meters)

•Length: 177.5 feet (54.1 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The AUGUSTUS was a wooden Schooner Barge initially constructed with two masts, later reduced to a single mast. Built in 1893 by Thomas O’Brien at Garden Island, Ontario, the vessel was a workhorse of the timber trade, capable of transporting 900,000 board feet of lumber. With a rounded Stern and ample cargo capacity, the AUGUSTUS was an important asset for shipping timber across Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

HISTORY

The AUGUSTUS was launched in 1893 for the Calvin Co., valued at $24,000 at the time. Its Gross Tonnage was 830.62 tons, with a registered tonnage of 802.32 tons. Initially rated A2, the vessel served extensively in the timber trade, playing a vital role in transporting forest products that fueled regional economic growth.

Key Events:

1.1902: Purchased by the Montreal Transportation Co., the AUGUSTUS underwent docking, Caulking, and a Rebuild in 1906.

2.1909: Struck a rock near Prescott, Ontario, requiring extensive repairs.

3.1912: Ran aground at Salmon Point, Prince Edward County, incurring further damage.

4.1919–1920: Changed ownership multiple times, including sales to A.A. Larocque and the Atlas Transportation Co.

5.1921–1934: Owned by Sincennes-McNaughton, later Sin-Mac, continuing to serve the timber trade.

FINAL DISPOSITION

By the late 1930s, the AUGUSTUS was retired and Abandoned at Portsmouth, Ontario. On November 15, 1937, during a harbor cleanup operation, the vessel was being towed for scuttling off Snake Island, but it sank prematurely before reaching its intended location. Today, the wreck lies at a depth of 60 feet near Snake Island in Lake Ontario.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the AUGUSTUS wreck. However, divers should proceed with caution due to the risks associated with exploring wooden wrecks, including potential entanglement and structural instability.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the AUGUSTUS lies at a depth of 60 feet, making it accessible to intermediate and advanced divers. The wooden Hull has largely flattened over time, with significant degradation caused by environmental factors. Despite its condition, the site provides an engaging dive for those interested in Great Lakes maritime history and the timber trade.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Wrecksite Database

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Research

•Canadian Shipwreck Records

KEYWORDS

AUGUSTUS, Schooner Barge, Snake Island, Lake Ontario, Timber Trade, Maritime History, Wooden Hull, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Scuttled Wreck, 1937.

ANALYSIS

The AUGUSTUS encapsulates the maritime history of Ontario’s timber trade, reflecting the challenges faced by Schooner barges during their extensive service lives. From its construction in 1893 to its final scuttling in 1937, the vessel’s story highlights the evolution of Great Lakes shipping and the hardships of operating wooden ships in harsh conditions.

The wreck near Snake Island serves as a historical artifact, connecting divers and historians to the region’s maritime heritage. Exploring the site offers insights into the craftsmanship of late 19th-century shipbuilding and the economic significance of Schooner barges like the AUGUSTUS in developing Canada’s timber industry.