INDIA C107735

Site Description

The gical History, originally named the INDIA, had a fascinating and eventful journey throughout its years of service. Launched on January 4, 1899, the vessel was initially owned by the Calvin Co. and built at Garden Island in Ontario. With an iron frame and composite construction, it had a length of 215.9 feet (between perpendiculars) and a capacity to carry 40,000 bushels of wheat or 1,200 tons on a 14-foot draft.

Equipped with a three-cylinder triple expansion engine built at Garden Island, the INDIA had 865.9 indicated horsepower and 126 rated horsepower. In 1914, its value was $14,000, and it had an insurance rating of 95/100. Over the years, the vessel underwent changes in ownership and modifications to adapt to different trades.

In August 1899, the INDIA ran ashore 8 miles west of Port Colborne, Ontario, due to dense smoke from forest fires. It was later refloated after lightering its cargo of iron ore with the assistance of the consort barge AUGUSTUS. The vessel encountered another incident in May 1912 when its propeller became fouled by a line and it was beached.

In 1914, the INDIA was purchased by the Montreal Transportation Co. Ltd. and subsequently owned by the Canada Steamship Line Ltd. It underwent reconstruction, including being cut down to its ‘tween deck, which had been fitted for the lumber trade. This modification made the vessel more suitable for the grain trade and resulted in a raised fo’c’stle and quarterdeck.

The INDIA faced further challenges during its service. It stranded near Cascade Point in Lac St. Louis on August 19, 1915, while on a voyage from Port Colborne, Ontario, to Montreal, but managed to get off without difficulty. Significant repairs were conducted on the vessel in the Kingston, Ontario dry dock in the spring of 1918.

In 1918, the INDIA was sold to Angel B. Lagueruela of Havana, Cuba, for $110,000. However, the buyer defaulted, and ownership returned to the Montreal Transportation Co. In 1921, as part of the winding-up process of the Montreal Transportation Co. fleet, the vessel’s ownership was transferred to Canada Steamship Lines.

Tragedy struck the INDIA on June 16, 1922, when it hit a Welland Canal lock gate, broke through to the lock below, and sank, causing $12,000 in damage to the canal. Although the vessel was refloated four days later, it was considered a constructive total loss and abandoned by the underwriters.

In 1923, the INDIA was purchased by Reid Wrecking Co. of Sarnia, Ontario, associated with Canada Steamship Lines, and underwent repairs. It was then owned by the India Navigation Co., managed by Crawford & Co., from 1923 to 1925, serving as a collier. Eventually, the vessel was laid up at Kingston.

From 1925 to 1928, the INDIA returned to service under its new owners, the Ramsey Steamship Co. of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. However, its final demise came on September 4, 1928, when it ran aground near West St. Mary Island in the North Channel, 8 miles east of Little Current, Ontario, carrying a cargo of wood pulp. The next day, a fire broke out under its boiler, resulting in the vessel burning down to the waterline.