SCOTIA C88640

Wolfe Island Coal Barge, Keyes Wreck

Barge
10ffw
Wolfe Island, Marysville

SCOTIA, a propeller vessel, was registered under the Canadian flag with the official number 88640. Built in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1871 by Lewis Shickluna, the ship had a length of 137.00 feet, a width of 24.00 feet, and an unknown depth. The vessel had two decks and was constructed using wood as the primary hull material. It had a gross tonnage of 624.00 and an unspecified net tonnage.

The SCOTIA underwent a significant rebuild in 1889, resulting in new dimensions of 144 feet in length, 26 feet in width, and 12 feet in depth. Following the rebuild, its gross tonnage increased to 458. The ship had a single mast and was propelled by a screw, utilizing a high-pressure engine with one cylinder, producing 300 horsepower, manufactured by George N. Oille.

In terms of its history, the SCOTIA was initially owned by James Norris of St. Catharines, Ontario. It was launched in August 1871 and began operating on the Merchant’s Line, carrying a cargo of 430 tons of railroad iron to Chicago and 150 tons of merchandise to Detroit, Michigan. Over the years, it served various routes, including Montreal, Quebec to Chicago, Illinois, and Buffalo to Chicago. By 1877, its tonnage had reached 624 gross tons and 390 net tons.

Unfortunately, in July 1879, the SCOTIA suffered fire damage while in Chicago. In 1882, ownership of the vessel transferred to J. Battle and others in St. Catharines, Ontario. Joseph Kidd and Henry McFarlane of Toronto, Ontario, became the owners on May 15, 1885. The SCOTIA also towed the barge CRAFTSMAN in 1886.

In 1889, the ship underwent a rebuild, transforming it into a barge with new dimensions of 144 feet in length, 26 feet in width, and 12 feet in depth. Its gross tonnage increased to 458, and ownership transferred to Samuel Fraser of St. Catharines. The vessel later towed the EDWARD BLAKE and SOUTHAMPTON and was eventually transferred to Kingston, Ontario.

In 1895, the SCOTIA was towed to Marysville, Wolfe Island, for use as a coal bunker and was subsequently abandoned in place. It was finally broken up in the same year. In 2008, a survey conducted by Ben Ford of Texas A&M provided further information about the vessel’s condition.