IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL DESCRIPTION: #
The Fred Mercur was a wooden bulk freighter built in 1882 by the Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York. The vessel had the following specifications:
- Length: 232 feet
- Beam: 35 feet
- Depth: 18 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 1,224 tons
- Net Tonnage: 966 tons
- Propulsion: Screw-driven with three masts for auxiliary sailing
- Engine: 800-ton fore-and-aft compound engine, delivering 99 horsepower, with two cylinders and two boilers
- Hull: Constructed with an 18-inch triple-thick hull designed to withstand engine vibrations
HISTORY & FINAL INCIDENT: #
The Fred Mercur was launched in 1882 and initially owned by the Lehigh Valley Transportation Company. Throughout its operational history, the vessel was owned by various companies, including the Iroquois Furnace Co., Frank Baird, George Hall Coal Co., George Hall Coal & Transportation Co., and W.E. Lawlar. In its final years, the freighter was operated by the George Hall Coal Company of Montreal.
The Fred Mercur faced several incidents throughout its life:
- 1883: Ran ashore and was scuttled near Erie, Pennsylvania. The vessel was later released and repaired.
- 1887: Required dry-docking in Buffalo for bottom examination after running ashore in rivers.
- Investigation: Following a stranding incident, Captain Fred Pope was exonerated by U.S. Local Inspectors, who attributed the incident to the negligence of the mate and second mate.
The final voyage of the Fred Mercur took place on July 3, 1925. During this journey, a serious fire broke out onboard. Captain J.W. Scarrow and First Mate Charles McDonald quickly noticed the smoke and took immediate action by beaching the ship on a rush bed near Stanley Island in the St. Lawrence River. Unfortunately, the fire continued to intensify, leading to a boiler explosion. The vessel ultimately sank with its stern resting in 45 feet of water.
The wreck of the Fred Mercur is located near Stonehouse Point in the main shipping channel and is noted on Canadian Chart 1413. Over the years, the remains of the ship’s superstructure have been carried away by ice, leaving no visible traces above the water’s surface.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Fred Mercur was a total loss due to the fire and subsequent sinking. The wreck remains underwater and serves as a historical site for divers and maritime historians.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive database of shipwrecks and maritime events in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed information on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes and surrounding waters.
KEYWORDS: #
Fred Mercur, Wooden Bulk Freighter, St. Lawrence River, Shipwreck, Fire, Cornwall Ontario, Maritime History.
ANALYSIS: #
The history of the Fred Mercur reflects the challenges faced by wooden freighters in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The vessel’s repeated incidents, including groundings and fires, highlight the inherent risks of maritime transportation during this period. The final incident in 1925, which led to the ship’s sinking, underscores the vulnerabilities of these vessels to onboard fires and the difficulty of firefighting on large wooden ships. The Fred Mercur serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by the crews who manned these vessels and the impact of such losses on the maritime community.
