COMMODORE BARRIE (1833)

The Commodore Barrie, a steamship, was built in 1833 in Kingston, Ontario. Constructed by Gildersleeve, it featured a wooden hull and had two decks. The vessel measured 144 feet in length, 38 feet in beam, and had a depth of 0 feet. According to reports, it was powered by a sidewheel propulsion system, with twin engines.

On April 30, 1842, the Commodore Barrie met its final fate approximately 10 miles off Long Point, west of Kingston, in Lake Ontario. It sank in a final depth of 50 fathoms, equivalent to 300 feet, following a collision with the schooner Canada. At the time of the collision, the Commodore Barrie was carrying 500 barrels of flour as its final cargo.

The Commodore Barrie had encountered incidents prior to its sinking. On August 29, 1839, it collided with the William IV, resulting in significant damage to the vessel. Then, on May 4, 1842, it was involved in the collision with the schooner Canada that led to its sinking. The ship was owned by a joint stock company in Kingston, Ontario.

Multiple reports of the sinking provide details of the event. The Commodore Barrie was on its way from Niagara to Kingston, with passengers and its cargo, when the collision occurred near Presque Isle. The schooner Canada, owned by Mr. Ives, collided with the Commodore Barrie, demolishing the bow of the steamship and causing it to rapidly take on water. Efforts to stop the leak and lighten the vessel proved unsuccessful, leading to its eventual sinking. Fortunately, there were no lives lost, and the passengers and crew were rescued with the assistance of the schooner Canada.

The sinking of the Commodore Barrie had significant consequences. The vessel was considered old at the time and valued at around $15,000. There was no insurance coverage for either the boat or its cargo. The loss of the steamship prompted public attention and discussions about the incident.