The MATILDA was a river barge that operated from 1863 to 1866. It had a unit tonnage of 337.08 and measured 139.58 feet in length. The barge had a capacity of 19,000 bushels and featured a round stern. It was built in 1863 by J.B. Auger in Montreal.
Initially, the MATILDA had one mast. By 1866, its measurements were 309.25 tons gross, 298.73 tons net, and 141.0 feet according to American measurement standards. In 1864, it received a rating of A and was valued at $7,000. However, by 1866, its rating dropped to 1, and its value decreased to $3,500.
The barge was initially owned by McLennan & Auger and mainly operated on the Richelieu River, likely involved in the lumber trade. On January 17, 1866, it was sold to an American owner and was subsequently removed from the Canadian register on February 2, 1866. Despite the change in ownership, the barge retained its name under the American registry.
On October 13, 1866, the MATILDA sank but was later raised. It was registered in Detroit in 1871, Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1875, and East Saginaw, Michigan from 1879 to 1886, all while being noted as “foreign-built” in the registers. During the period of 1884-1886, the barge was rigged as a schooner. On January 12, 1886, while carrying wine and coal, the MATILDA was cut by ice during a voyage from Kelly’s Island, Ohio to Saginaw and subsequently sank in Lake Huron near Pine River on Lower Saginaw Bay.
It is worth noting that Montreal Transportation Co. also owned a steam tug named MATILDA in 1869.
Sources:
- Alpena Public Library Great Lakes Maritime Database
- Board of Lake Underwriters Lake Vessel Register 1866
- Canadian Heritage Ship Information Database
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes Canadian Ship Registers online
- Merchant Vessels of the United States 1886
- Mills Barges and Scows Before 1890
- Milwaukee Public Library Great Lakes Marine Collection
- Thomas Register of the Ships of the Lakes and River St. Lawrence 1864
