IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Alice Mary was a wooden sloop barge constructed in 1875 by Christopher Harris in Dog Lake, Battersea, Ontario. The vessel was initially designed for use as a St. Lawrence River barge, with a single mast and a wooden frame. It was well-suited for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes and nearby waterways. After its initial loss, the vessel was rebuilt and reclassified as the Lorraine, a schooner with increased tonnage and modified design.
HISTORY: #
The Alice Mary had an eventful but ultimately tragic history. Built in 1875, the vessel served in various capacities before encountering a severe storm on April 24, 1882. During its voyage from Kingston to Amherst Island, the vessel began to leak and eventually stranded in the Bay of Quinte, Ontario, resulting in a total loss valued at $4,000. The extent of the casualties, if any, is not well-documented.
Following the wreck, the Alice Mary was purchased by Captain Allen, who arranged for the vessel to be towed to Kingston on April 29, 1882. Despite plans to raise and repair the vessel, the decayed condition of its timbers and the swelling of the peas it was carrying made the restoration efforts uncertain.
The Alice Mary was officially removed from the shipping registry on May 8, 1882, after being deemed a total loss. However, later that same year, the vessel was rebuilt from the original hull and rechristened as the Lorraine. The Lorraine was registered in Kingston in September 1882, with a length of 81 feet, a beam of 18.6 feet, and a depth of 5.7 feet. The rebuilt vessel, now classified as a schooner with a gross tonnage of 73.63 tons, continued to sail under the ownership of Philips, with Allen F. Theophilus as the builder.
The Lorraine remained in operation until it was officially noted as “supposed to be out of existence” on December 10, 1937, according to registry records. This suggests that the vessel either sank, was scrapped, or was otherwise lost to history.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Alice Mary met its initial end when it was wrecked during a storm in the Bay of Quinte on April 24, 1882. Despite being rebuilt as the Lorraine, the vessel’s long-term fate remains somewhat unclear, with records indicating that it was “supposed to be out of existence” by December 10, 1937. The location of its final resting place, possibly among the Cataraqui Wrecks, adds to the mystery surrounding this vessel’s history.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the Alice Mary or Lorraine wreck sites. However, divers exploring the Cataraqui Wrecks should proceed with caution due to the potential hazards associated with submerged wrecks and the area’s historical significance.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck of the Alice Mary was originally stranded in the Bay of Quinte, and while its precise discovery details are not widely reported, the vessel’s history has been preserved through historical records. The Lorraine‘s final location is less certain, though it is likely connected to the Cataraqui Wrecks.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Comprehensive information on shipwrecks and maritime history in the Great Lakes region.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records and details on vessels like the Alice Mary and Lorraine.
KEYWORDS: #
Alice Mary, Lorraine, Sloop Barge, Schooner, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Bay of Quinte, 1882 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History, Cataraqui Wrecks.
ANALYSIS: #
The story of the Alice Mary, later rebuilt as Lorraine, reflects the resilience and challenges faced by maritime vessels in the late 19th century. From its initial construction and service to its tragic loss and subsequent rebuilding, the vessel’s history is a testament to the importance of Great Lakes shipping during this period. The eventual disappearance of the Lorraine further adds to the enigmatic nature of this vessel’s journey, leaving behind questions that continue to intrigue maritime historians and shipwreck enthusiasts.
