The KEYSTORM was a modern steel steam barge built in 1910 in Wallsend, England. With a length of 250 feet and a gross tonnage of 1673, the vessel was a significant presence on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. However, its service was short-lived, coming to a tragic end on October 26, 1912, when it struck Howe Island Reef in the St. Lawrence River near Alexandria Bay. The KEYSTORM was loaded with coal valued at $120,000, and the accident resulted in the vessel sinking to a depth of 120 feet.
Incident Details: On the fateful morning of October 26, 1912, the KEYSTORM was navigating the St. Lawrence River when it encountered dense fog. The visibility was poor, and the vessel inadvertently struck Howe Island Reef around 4 o’clock in the morning. Despite the impact, the crew managed to evacuate safely while the ship was still ashore. They were later transported to Brockville, Ontario, leaving the KEYSTORM to succumb to the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The vessel’s sinking was a significant loss for its owners, the Keystone Transportation Company of Montreal. The KEYSTORM found its final resting place in approximately 120 feet of water, near Brockville, Ontario. The sinking marked the end of the vessel’s brief two-year service as a freighter on the Great Lakes.
Salvage Efforts: In August 1913, discussions began about the possibility of salvaging the sunken KEYSTORM. The Keystone Transportation Company sought to recover their vessel and its valuable cargo of coal. The contract for the salvage operation was awarded to A.J. Lee of Montreal, representing the Compressed Air Salvage Co. The operation was to be conducted on a no-cure-no-pay basis, meaning the company would only be paid based on the value of the items successfully recovered.
Salvage operations commenced in October 1913, with the Compressed Air Salvage Co. deploying divers and wrecking equipment aboard the STM. RELIANCE. The plan involved using compressed air to pump water out of the KEYSTORM‘s hold, displacing the water and allowing the vessel to float. This innovative method attracted considerable attention from other vessel owners and industry experts, eager to see if the technique would prove successful.
Vessel History: The KEYSTORM was built in 1910 with a steel hull and was propelled by a screw. It was designed for durability and efficiency, embodying the technological advancements of the early 20th century. Initially valued at a significant sum, the vessel was an essential asset for the Keystone Transportation Company, serving in the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes and connecting waterways.
On October 26, 1912, the KEYSTORM met its tragic end when it wrecked in a fog on the St. Lawrence River. The wreck, situated near Brockville, Ontario, was later sold in 1917 to J. Richardson & Son of Kingston, with the coal cargo being removed in 1919.
Final Resting Place: The wreck of the KEYSTORM lies at a depth ranging from 20 to 120 feet, making it a popular site for divers exploring the St. Lawrence River. The vessel’s stern rests in the deeper waters, while the bow lies closer to the surface, creating an intriguing and accessible dive site that offers a glimpse into the maritime history of the region.
Legacy and Significance: The KEYSTORM‘s sinking in 1912 represents a significant event in the history of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River shipping. The vessel’s brief service, combined with the tragic circumstances of its sinking, left an indelible mark on the region’s maritime history. The successful salvage operation, although challenging due to the depth of the wreck, was a testament to the innovative techniques and determination of the early 20th-century salvage industry.
Today, the wreck of the KEYSTORM is a well-known site for divers and maritime historians, offering a unique opportunity to explore a piece of history that has been preserved beneath the waters of the St. Lawrence River.
Historical Photogallery
2008 Photos Tom Rutledge CC
You must be logged in to post a comment.