MUSCALLONGE C133752, formerly Vigilant

The Muscallonge, originally named Vigilant, was a formidable tugboat built in 1896 by the Jenks Ship Building Co. in Port Huron, Michigan. With its wooden hull and impressive dimensions, the vessel was designed for durability and strength, playing a significant role in the transportation of crude oil between Montreal and Toronto. However, its service came to a tragic end in 1936, when a devastating fire consumed the vessel near Brockville, Ontario, leaving behind a poignant wreck on the bottom of the St. Lawrence River.

Construction and Early Service #

Constructed in 1896, the Muscallonge was a robust tugboat with a length of 128 feet, a width of 24.42 feet, and a height of 12 feet. With a gross tonnage of 372.09 and a net tonnage of 253.03, the vessel was built to handle the demanding conditions of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Initially named Vigilant, the tugboat was later renamed Muscallonge and became well-known for its role in transporting crude oil between major Canadian cities.

The Fire and Sinking #

On August 15, 1936, the Muscallonge was approaching Brockville, Ontario, when disaster struck. The tugboat, carrying a cargo of 9,000 gallons of crude oil, caught fire under mysterious circumstances. The fire quickly spread, and despite the efforts of Captain S. Ahearn to drive the burning vessel to shore and save his crew, the intensity of the blaze made it impossible to save the ship. The fuel tanks exploded, and the Muscallonge was ultimately consumed by the flames, sinking to the bottom of the St. Lawrence River.

The fire was a spectacular event, drawing hundreds of spectators to the scene. The burning oil and the rapid spread of the fire created a dramatic and terrifying sight. Despite the efforts of the fire department and other rescue teams, the difficult terrain and the scale of the fire thwarted any attempts to save the vessel. The Muscallonge‘s superstructure was completely destroyed, and the wreckage was left to rest on the riverbed.

Crew and Casualties #

Remarkably, despite the catastrophic fire, Captain Ahearn and his crew of 10 managed to escape the burning vessel before it sank. Their survival was a testament to their quick thinking and the captain’s leadership during the crisis. The Muscallonge was insured, but the loss of the vessel and its cargo represented a significant financial blow.

Legacy and Final Resting Place #

The Muscallonge had a long and storied history of ownership, passing through the hands of various companies including H.N. Loud, Loud & Sons, Great Lakes Towing Co., Ogdensburg Coal & Towing Co., Norton Griffiths Dredging Co. Ltd., Roger Miller & Co. (P.E.I.) Ltd., and Sincennes MacNaughton Line Ltd. By 1928, it was owned by Sin Mac Ltd., and it continued to play a vital role in the lake trade until its tragic end.

The wreck of the Muscallonge now lies approximately one and a half miles east of Brockville, Ontario, on the Canadian shore of the St. Lawrence River. The cause of the fire that led to the vessel’s sinking remains unknown, but the wreckage serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by those who worked on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River. Today, the Muscallonge is remembered as one of the largest and most significant tugs of its time, and its story is a poignant chapter in the maritime history of the region.

External Links and References #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A valuable resource for information on shipwrecks and maritime incidents in the Great Lakes region.
• Brockville Historical Society: Provides historical context and information on shipwrecks and maritime history in the Brockville area.
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS): An organization dedicated to preserving and documenting shipwrecks in Ontario, including those in the St. Lawrence River.