IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The WARRENKO, originally built as a passenger steamer named CHICORA in Liverpool, England, in 1864, had a storied past. The vessel was designed to run the Union blockade during the American Civil War and was equipped with a sleek design, minimal superstructure, and defensive armaments. Over time, the CHICORA was converted into a passenger steamer for the Great Lakes and eventually transformed into a barge named WARRENKO.
HISTORY #
- 1864: Built as CHICORA in Liverpool, England, the vessel was designed to support the Confederacy during the American Civil War by running the Union blockade.
- 1865: After the fall of Charleston, the CHICORA became the last blockade runner to escape and made its way to Nassau before heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- 1867: The CHICORA was purchased by Canadian businessmen and brought to Collingwood, Ontario, where it was converted into a passenger steamer.
- 1870s: The vessel was employed by the Canadian government to deliver mail and transport passengers, including during the Métis uprising.
- 1913: Renamed WARRENKO and repurposed as a barge, the vessel was used primarily for transporting coal.
- 1938: The WARRENKO was struck by the freighter Sprucebay in Kingston Harbour and subsequently sank. It was later raised and taken to Howe Island.
- 1939: The vessel was scuttled and now rests at its final location in the Bateaux Channel near Howe Island.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The wreck of the WARRENKO remains in the Bateaux Channel, and when water levels are low, portions of the wreck can be exposed. The site is a point of interest for both history enthusiasts and divers exploring the remnants of this storied vessel.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
KEYWORDS #
WARRENKO, LET HER BE, CHICORA, Howe Island, St. Lawrence River, Shipwreck, Civil War Blockade Runner, Great Lakes, Bateaux Channel, Diving Site
ANALYSIS #
The WARRENKO‘s transition from a Confederate blockade runner to a Great Lakes passenger steamer, and finally to a scuttled barge, represents the dynamic history of maritime trade and warfare. The vessel’s repeated adaptations highlight the ingenuity of shipowners and the ever-evolving demands of naval architecture. Today, the wreck serves as a historical artifact, submerged in the St. Lawrence River, inviting divers and historians to explore and reflect on its past.
