Site Description #
- Wreck Type: Barge
- 189 x 30 x 12
- Near Yorkshire Island, Lake Ontario
History #
The HIAWATHA spanning from 1906 to 1917, held a significant place in the maritime landscape. With a gross tonnage of 539.18 tons and a net tonnage of 518.01 tons, HIAWATHA measured 176.5 feet in length. Known for its impressive capacity of 40,000 bushels, this barge was built by Thomas O’Brien at Garden Island, Ontario, in 1890, at a cost of $20,000.
Originally devoid of masts, HIAWATHA underwent a transformative rebuilding process. As a result, she emerged as a three-masted vessel, featuring a small pilot house on a raised forecastle and a distinctive round stern. By 1892, HIAWATHA held an A11⁄2 rating and was valued at $19,000. However, in 1897, her rating dropped to A2, and she was valued at $14,500, with necessary repairs noted. Over the years, her value fluctuated significantly, with a sharp decline to $5,500 in 1906, followed by further drops to $3,000 in 1908 and $5,000 in 1910. In 1912, her insurance rating limited her operations to the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, with a value of $5,000. Subsequent years saw a gradual decrease in her value, with figures recorded at $4,500 in 1913, $4,000 in 1914, and $3,000 in 1915-16 (including $1,161.28 worth of improvements). Surprisingly, her value rose to $10,000 in 1917.
Calvin Co. served as HIAWATHA’s first owner. However, her journey encountered obstacles early on. On November 5, 1891, she ran aground off Charlotte (Rochester), New York. Then, on October 12, 1894, she found herself adrift on Lake Erie. Eventually, she was sold to the Kingston & Montreal Forwarding Co., and later came under the ownership of the Montreal Transportation Co. following their acquisition of the firm. In 1909, HIAWATHA underwent a significant rebuilding process. However, her challenges persisted. She ran aground at Prescott, Ontario, in June 1912, but was successfully repaired in 1916.
Sadly, tragedy struck on September 20, 1917, near Galloo Island, located southeast of Main Duck Island, near Kingston, Ontario. While under tow by the Canada Steamship Lines tug MAGNOLIA (C 103690, 367 tons gross), along with the Montreal Transportation Co. barge HILDA, HIAWATHA foundered. This devastating event resulted in the loss of five men, two women, and one child. The lone survivor was rescued by the Montreal Transportation Co. steamer McVITTIE. At the time of the incident, HIAWATHA was carrying coal from Oswego, New York, to Montreal. Consequently, her registry was closed on October 1, 1917.
One of a series of barges built on Garden Island with Iroquoian names. Hiawatha (Hayëñ ́wa ́tha) was a very early Iroquoian leader and peacemaker. He was one of the founders of the council that later became the Iroquois Confederacy. He himself was either Onondaga, or Mohawk, or both.
