IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The AUGUSTUS was a wooden schooner barge, originally built with two masts and later reduced to a single mast. Constructed in 1893 by Thomas O’Brien at Garden Island, Ontario, the vessel was primarily used in the timber trade, transporting lumber and forest products across Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The AUGUSTUS was designed with a round stern and had a large cargo capacity, capable of carrying 900,000 board feet of lumber.
HISTORY
The AUGUSTUS was commissioned by the Calvin Co. and launched in 1893. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 830.62 tons and a register tonnage of 802.32 tons. Throughout its operational life, the value of the AUGUSTUS declined significantly, from $24,000 in 1897 to just $7,000 by 1919. The vessel was initially rated A2 and used extensively in the timber trade until at least 1898.
In 1902, the AUGUSTUS was acquired by the Montreal Transportation Co., where it underwent docking, caulking, and a rebuild in 1906. The vessel experienced several accidents, including striking a rock near Prescott, Ontario, in 1909, and running aground at Salmon Point in Prince Edward County in 1912. These incidents required significant repairs, which were facilitated by the close business relationship between the Montreal Transportation Co. and the Calvin Co.
Ownership of the AUGUSTUS changed hands several times, eventually being sold to A.A. Larocque in 1919 and later to the Atlas Transportation Co. in 1920. From 1921 until at least 1934, the vessel was owned by Sincennes-McNaughton (later known as Sin-Mac).
FINAL DISPOSITION
By the late 1930s, the AUGUSTUS was no longer in active service and was abandoned at Portsmouth, Ontario. On November 15, 1937, during a harbor cleanup operation, the vessel was being towed to be scuttled off Snake Island when it unexpectedly sank before reaching its intended location. The wreck now lies at a depth of 60 feet near Snake Island in Lake Ontario.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no specific Notices to Mariners related to the wreck of the AUGUSTUS, but divers should exercise caution due to the potential hazards of exploring a wooden wreck, including entanglement risks and structural instability.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of the AUGUSTUS is well-known among local divers and maritime historians, with its location near Snake Island documented for some time. The precise discovery date is not noted, but it has been a recognized dive site for many years.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The AUGUSTUS lies at a depth of 60 feet, making it accessible to intermediate and advanced divers. The wreck is largely flattened due to the degradation of the wooden hull over time. Despite its condition, the site provides an interesting dive experience, particularly for those interested in the history of Great Lakes schooner barges and the timber trade.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – AUGUSTUS: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wrecksite Database – AUGUSTUS: Wrecksite Database
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
- Historical Shipwreck Records – Ontario: Canadian Shipwreck Records
KEYWORDS
- AUGUSTUS, Schooner Barge, Snake Island, Lake Ontario, Timber Trade, Wooden Hull, Maritime History, Great Lakes, Scuttled Wreck.
ANALYSIS The AUGUSTUS represents a significant part of Ontario’s maritime history, particularly in relation to the timber trade that was a cornerstone of the region’s economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s long service life, numerous repairs, and eventual sinking highlight the challenges faced by schooner barges operating on the Great Lakes. Today, the wreck provides a tangible connection to this past, offering divers the opportunity to explore a piece of history submerged beneath the waters of Lake Ontario.
