The ICEBERG, a brig constructed at Counter’s Shipyard (also known as “Railway Shipyard”) in Hamilton, Ontario in 1857, was a wooden, two-masted vessel weighing approximately 80 tons. It did not possess any other known names or an official number assigned to it.
Tragically, the ICEBERG met its demise in August 1857, though the exact date is uncertain, and the location of its loss remains unknown. It vanished under mysterious circumstances, disappearing without a trace. Unfortunately, all individuals aboard the ship lost their lives.
The ICEBERG was carrying a cargo of coal at the time of its disappearance. It had departed from the Welland Canal on August 12th, intending to reach Kingston. However, it never arrived at its destination. The vessel was specifically constructed by Dr. John Rae, reputedly with robust craftsmanship, for the purpose of arctic exploration. Following its intended use on the Great Lakes for the rest of the season, the plan was to sail it to England for preparations for an arctic voyage in the spring of 1858. The primary objective of this future voyage was to search for remnants of the ill-fated Franklin Arctic Expedition, with which Rae had been associated.
Regrettably, the ICEBERG’s career was cut short, lasting a mere month. In September, fragments of the ship’s wreckage began washing ashore. Despite the loss, the vessel’s brief existence and its connection to Arctic exploration remain notable aspects of its history.
