IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The William Armstrong was originally constructed as a car ferry (rail ferry) in 1876 by A. & J.W. Wood in Ogdensburg, New York. The vessel had a wooden hull and was designed with a reinforced bow sheathed in iron to navigate icy waters. Powered by a screw propeller and a high-pressure steam engine, the William Armstrong was a sturdy vessel that served in various capacities over its long service life.
HISTORY: #
The William Armstrong was launched in 1876 with a wooden hull, a single deck, and propulsion provided by a screw and high-pressure steam engine built by Jno King & Co. of Oswego. The vessel was initially owned by Captain David H. Lyon from Brockville, Ontario, and was used primarily as a car ferry to transport rail cars across the Great Lakes. The William Armstrong was notable for its robust construction, including an iron-sheathed bow to withstand ice.
In 1889, the William Armstrong experienced a significant incident when improperly loaded rail cars caused the stern to dip underwater, sinking the vessel under 83 feet of water. However, the vessel was raised and repaired by the Ogdensburg Marine Railway Company in 1890 and returned to service.
Throughout its history, the William Armstrong faced several mishaps. In 1904, it sank again at Ogdensburg, New York, but was once more salvaged and repaired. The vessel underwent multiple ownership changes, with D.H. Lyons and others taking control in 1899.
By 1912, the William Armstrong was reregistered under the Canadian registry with the official number C107688. Its dimensions were recorded as slightly altered: 100 feet in length, 30 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. In 1913, the vessel was rebuilt and converted into a drill barge, receiving the new name Mons Meg during this transformation.
The Mons Meg continued to serve in its new role until 1938 when it was finally abandoned in place in Trenton, Ontario. The vessel was left to rest in the Trent River/Bay of Quinte area, where it likely remains buried under the town piers today.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The William Armstrong (later Mons Meg) was abandoned in place in 1938 in the Trent River/Bay of Quinte area near Trenton, Ontario. It is believed to be buried beneath the town piers, where it remains as a part of the region’s maritime history.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the William Armstrong/Mons Meg wreck site. However, mariners and those involved in construction or excavation near the Trenton town piers should be aware of the potential for submerged wreckage.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck of the William Armstrong was known to be abandoned in 1938. Its exact location is documented to be beneath the town piers in Trenton, Ontario, though it is not commonly explored.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Archival information on shipwrecks and vessel histories in the Great Lakes region.
- Registry of the Dominion of Canada (1920): Official records documenting the vessel’s specifications and history.
KEYWORDS: #
William Armstrong, Mons Meg, Drill Boat, Car Ferry, Rail Ferry, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Trent River, Bay of Quinte, Trenton Ontario, 1938 Abandonment.
ANALYSIS: #
The William Armstrong, later known as Mons Meg, represents the adaptability and resilience of vessels built in the late 19th century. From its origins as a car ferry to its conversion into a drill barge, the vessel served a wide range of purposes over its long life. Despite multiple sinkings and repairs, the ship’s eventual abandonment in 1938 marked the end of an era. The wreck’s location beneath the town piers in Trenton serves as a hidden piece of Canadian maritime history, awaiting further exploration and study.
