CONDOR C92553

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Site Description

Site Description #

Barge
Ashore at Point Traverse

The barge CONDOR has a chronological history that spans several decades. It was initially launched in Montreal, PQ in 1888 and underwent a refit in 1889. However, in October 1889, it sank in Galoup Rapids, located in the St. Lawrence River.

In 1906, ownership of the barge transferred to the Montreal Transportation Company. It underwent a significant rebuild in 1915. However, in 1917, it grounded in the St. Lawrence River. Subsequent ownership changes occurred in 1919 when it was owned by A.A. Larocque, in 1920 by Atlas Sand Co, and in 1921 by Sincennes-McNaughton.

Tragically, on August 17, 1921, the CONDOR was wrecked. It measured 193 feet in length, 34 feet in width, and 12 feet in depth. With a gross tonnage of 633 tons, the barge met its unfortunate fate.

Originally, the CONDOR was a composite lake barge but later transitioned into a river barge with the Canadian registration number C 92553. It had a gross tonnage of 566.69 tons and a net tonnage of 549 tons. Its capacity was 40,000 bushels. The vessel was launched on August 1, 1888, in Montreal by A. Cantin, who considered it his 188th vessel. While three masts were initially fitted for service on Lake Superior during the winter of 1888-89, a postcard marked 1911 shows the barge with no masts.

When it was built for the Kingston & Montreal Forwarding Co, the CONDOR was the largest barge on the upper St. Lawrence. It met its tragic end when it wrecked on the beach west of Poplar Bar on the south side of Point Traverse in Prince Edward County, Ontario, on August 17, 1921. At the time, the barge was carrying coal to Montreal while being towed by the tug MACSINCO (C 138508, 140 tons gross). Another barge, the ATLASCO (formerly known as Russell Sage, C 138234, 788 tons register) owned by Sincennes-McNaughton and their subsidiary Atlas Sand, also sank. The registry for the CONDOR was closed on August 22, 1921.

The mortgage registers provide additional details about the CONDOR. It had a round stern and initially cost $20,000. In 1890, it was valued at $22,000 and classed A1. However, its value decreased over the years, with the 1914 insurance rating restricting it to the St. Lawrence River. In 1919, the barge’s value was $7,000, and it was restricted to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. By 1921, it was rated at 90.