IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The LION was a river barge constructed in 1863 by George Tait in Montreal, Quebec. This vessel was designed primarily for transporting bulk cargo, such as grain, along the St. Lawrence River. It was a robust and sizable barge with a capacity of 13,000 bushels, reflecting the needs of the grain trade during that era.
HISTORY #
The LION had an active operational history from 1863 until its explosive demise in 1884. Initially owned by its builder, George Tait, the vessel was subsequently sold to various owners, including J.H. Henderson in 1869-70 and the St. Lawrence & Chicago Forwarding Co. from 1874 to 1883. The barge underwent several repairs, including significant ones in 1870-71 and 1875.
One notable incident involving the LION occurred in 1880 when the steamer Bohemian caused damage to Lock Two of the Lachine Canal while seven barges, including the LION, were present.
In 1884, the LION was acquired by the Kingston Ontario Dominion Day Celebration committee for $125. The committee initially planned to blow up another barge, the Convoy, as part of the Dominion Day festivities, but eventually chose the LION for this dramatic display.
The barge was extensively prepared for the spectacle, being rigged with three masts and yards, decorated with Chinese lanterns, and painted to appear like a ship. The climax of the event involved the LION being detonated with 500 lbs of gunpowder, resulting in a spectacular explosion off Murney Tower on July 1, 1884, leaving wreckage scattered in Kingston Harbor.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Following its explosive end on Dominion Day in 1884, the LION was no longer active and was eventually removed from the ship registry on April 27, 1899. The barge was broken up, marking the end of its existence both as a functioning vessel and as a dramatic centerpiece for a public event.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
KEYWORDS #
LION, River Barge, Montreal, Kingston, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Canadian Heritage, Dominion Day, Explosion
ANALYSIS #
The LION serves as an intriguing example of a vessel whose functional life transitioned into a symbolic end, reflecting the broader cultural practices of the time. The decision to destroy the barge as part of a public spectacle demonstrates how ships were sometimes repurposed for non-maritime uses, particularly as they aged or became obsolete. This event also underscores the dramatic nature of public celebrations in the 19th century, where large-scale explosions were considered entertainment. The LION’s history offers a glimpse into both the practical and the theatrical aspects of maritime life in the Great Lakes region.
