The Muscallonge was a tugboat that was built in 1896 by the Jenks Ship Building Co. in Port Huron, Michigan. It had a length of 128 feet, a width of 24.42 feet, and a height of 12 feet. The tug had a gross tonnage of 372.09 and a net tonnage of 253.03. It was constructed using wood as its hull material.
Originally named Vigilant, the tugboat was later renamed Muscallonge. It was primarily used for transporting crude oil between Montreal and Toronto. In 1936, while approaching Brockville, the Muscallonge caught fire. The captain, S. Ahearn, managed to drive the burning vessel to shore and save the crew. However, efforts to save the ship failed, and it eventually sank after the fuel tanks exploded. The wreck of the Muscallonge now rests on the river bottom, evidencing the fire that consumed it.
The fire on August 15, 1936, was a spectacular event that attracted hundreds of spectators. The burning tug had a fuel cargo of 9,000 gallons of crude oil, which contributed to the intensity of the blaze. The fire department and other rescue attempts were unable to save the vessel due to the difficult terrain and the rapid spread of the fire. The Muscallonge was completely consumed by the flames, and its superstructure was destroyed. The remains of the tugboat were insured, and its loss was estimated to be significant.
Captain Ahearn, along with the crew of 10, was able to escape the burning vessel before it sank. The Muscallonge had a long history of ownership, including H.N. Loud, Loud & Sons, Great Lakes Towing Co., Ogdensburg Coal & Towing Co., Norton Griffiths Dredging Co. Ltd., Roger Miller & Co. (P.E.I.) Ltd., and Sincennes MacNaughton Line Ltd. It was finally owned by Sin Mac Ltd. in 1928. The tugboat played a significant role in the lake trade and was one of the largest tugs operating on the Great Lakes.
The Muscallonge’s final location was approximately one and a half miles east of Brockville, Ontario, on the Canadian shore of the St. Lawrence River. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the wreckage serves as a reminder of the vessel’s tragic end.
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