IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL DESCRIPTION: #
The Albina was a wooden river barge built in 1887 by Jos. T. Matten in Sorel, Quebec. It was a purpose-built cargo barge, designed without masts, and primarily used for transportation on the rivers. Here are some key specifications of the vessel:
- Length: 110.9 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 186 tons
- Register Tonnage: 180.34 tons
- Hull Design: Round stern
HISTORY & FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Albina played a vital role in the river-based cargo transport industry, particularly in the service of the Montreal Transportation Company. From 1897 to 1907, the barge was owned by George T. Benson of Montreal, who likely served as an agent or was closely affiliated with the Montreal Transportation Company. The Albina was regularly referenced in corporate minutes as an integral part of the company’s operations.
Over the years, the Albina underwent various repairs and maintenance, including significant caulking in 1894 to ensure its continued seaworthiness. Despite these efforts, the vessel eventually met a tragic fate. The Albina was wrecked on Glassford’s Shoal, located below the Galops Rapids in the St. Lawrence River. The exact date of the incident remains unspecified, but it was severe enough to warrant the removal of the barge from the shipping register on February 26, 1907.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Albina‘s final resting place is at Glassford’s Shoal, where it succumbed to the treacherous waters of the St. Lawrence River. This incident marked the end of the vessel’s service, leading to its official deregistration in early 1907.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive resource detailing shipwrecks and maritime events in the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Provides detailed records of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
KEYWORDS: #
Albina, River Barge, St. Lawrence River, Shipwreck, Montreal Transportation Co., Glassford’s Shoal, Maritime History.
ANALYSIS: #
The Albina represents the robust river transportation system that was critical to the economic vitality of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s operational history and its eventual wreck are reflective of the challenging conditions that vessels faced in these waterways. The loss of the Albina on Glassford’s Shoal serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers that river transportation entailed during this period.
