Freeman, D. (Freeman, Daniel)

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Name: Freeman, D. (also known as Freeman, Daniel) Type: Wooden Schooner Barge Official Number: [Specific Official Number not provided in available records] Location: Various locations documented; final disposition in Kingston, Ontario Coordinates: Specific wreck coordinates are not available. Depth: Information on the depth of any potential wreck site is not available.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The Freeman, D. (also referred to as Freeman, Daniel) was a wooden schooner barge with a single deck and two masts. Measuring 113 feet (34.4 meters) in length, 24 feet (7.3 meters) in beam, and 8.7 feet (2.7 meters) in depth, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 160 tons. Schooner barges like the Freeman, D. were common on the Great Lakes, primarily used for transporting bulk goods such as coal, grain, and other materials. These vessels relied on sail power, making them both economical and versatile for the shipping needs of the time.

HISTORY: #

The Freeman, D. was constructed by David Freeman in Port Burwell, Ontario, though the exact year of its build is not provided. The vessel was initially registered under the name Freeman, D., with David M. Foster from Port Burwell as its original owner. On June 3, 1869, the Freeman, D. embarked on its maiden voyage to Windsor, Ontario.

Over the years, the vessel changed ownership multiple times. In 1871, it was acquired by R. Wallace of Port Hope, Ontario. A decade later, in 1881, Downey et al. of Port Hope took ownership and carried out repairs, with additional repairs conducted in 1882. These repairs suggest that the vessel continued to see active service throughout this period.

On August 13, 1888, the Freeman, D. was en route from Oswego, New York, to Belleville, Ontario, when it ran ashore during a severe summer storm. The vessel faced another recorded incident on December 6, 1893, when it was bound for Charlotte, Ontario. Unfortunately, details about this final incident are sparse.

By 1902, the Freeman, D. had been repurposed as a hulk for grain storage in Kingston, Ontario. This marked the end of its active service on the Great Lakes. The use of older vessels as storage hulks was common practice, allowing them to continue to serve a purpose even after they were no longer seaworthy.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The final fate of the Freeman, D. is not well-documented, but it is believed to have been sold for use as grain storage in Kingston, Ontario, in 1902. There is no specific information available about the wreck or final resting place of the vessel. It is possible that the vessel was eventually dismantled or abandoned after its use as a storage hulk.

The vessel’s long history of service, from its construction in Port Burwell to its final days in Kingston, reflects the typical life cycle of schooner barges on the Great Lakes. While not much is known about its final years, the Freeman, D. likely contributed significantly to the regional economy through its work in transporting goods across the lakes.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

Due to the lack of specific information about a wreck site, there are no Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or local advisories associated with the Freeman, D.. If exploring historical sites in Kingston, Ontario, or near potential wreck locations, divers and researchers should follow standard protocols and check local regulations.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

The story of the Freeman, D. is a testament to the resilience of the schooner barges that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes. From its construction and early voyages to its final use as a grain storage hulk, the vessel represents an important chapter in the maritime history of Lake Ontario and the surrounding region.