IRELAND C30791

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Name: Ireland Type: Barge Built: 1866, Brockville, Ontario Dimensions: Tonnage: 409 tons (original tonnage), with later records showing a gross tonnage of 457 and a net tonnage of 423 Final Resting Place: Near Galloo Island, Lake Ontario

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Ireland was a barge, a type of flat-bottomed vessel typically used for transporting bulk goods such as lumber, coal, or grain across the Great Lakes. Barges like the Ireland were often towed by tugboats, making them essential components of the maritime trade routes that crisscrossed the region.

HISTORY #

The Ireland was constructed in 1866 in Brockville, Ontario. Over the years, the barge became an integral part of the shipping industry on Lake Ontario, serving various cargo routes. The vessel was officially registered as a barge in 1863 (according to the Mills List) with Kingston, Ontario, listed as its port of registry.

The Ireland played a significant role in maritime commerce for decades, becoming a familiar sight on the lake. However, its long service came to a tragic end in 1912 when the barge foundered during a tow by the tug William L. Proctor near Galloo Island.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

On that fateful day in 1912, the Ireland was being towed across Lake Ontario when disaster struck. The barge foundered, leading to the loss of four lives. The incident was marked by chaos and distress, with the captain and his son being the only survivors. They were rescued by the steamer Nicaragua, commanded by Captain Alex McDonald, and were fortunate to escape the tragedy that claimed the lives of their crewmates.

The loss of the Ireland added another chapter to the storied history of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes, reminding us of the dangers that mariners faced, even in seemingly routine operations.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

There is no specific modern record of the wreck’s discovery or identification, so no individuals or dates are associated with locating the remains of the Ireland.