RICKARTON (formerly CHIPPEWA) C111967

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The RICKARTON, originally named CHIPPEWA, was a wooden schooner built in 1890 in Marine City, Michigan. It was a large cargo vessel, primarily used in the Great Lakes trade, with a registered tonnage of 1,114 tons. The vessel was 222 feet long and was known for its sturdy wooden construction, typical of schooners of that era.

HISTORY #

The CHIPPEWA was initially registered in Port Huron, Michigan, on May 9, 1890, and was owned by M.P. Lester. The vessel underwent a rebuilding process in Marine City in 1891, shortly after its construction. By 1892, the schooner was actively involved in the Lake Superior trade, often being towed by steamers like the CHEROKEE.

The CHIPPEWA encountered several maritime incidents, including grounding in the St. Clair River in August 1906, which required repairs in Detroit. Later that year, it collided with the stern of the CHEROKEE, causing damage to its cabin. These incidents were not uncommon for vessels navigating the busy and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

In August 1912, the vessel was sold to the Lake Ontario & Quebec Navigation Co. Ltd., renamed RICKARTON, and re-registered in Picton, Ontario, under the Canadian number C111967. By 1916, it was owned by Canada Steamship Lines, a major operator in the Great Lakes region.

From 1921 to 1925, the RICKARTON was laid up in Kingston Inner Harbor, eventually being scuttled near Amherst Island in November 1928. The vessel’s registry was officially closed on February 11, 1930, marking the end of its service life.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The RICKARTON was scuttled as part of a broader effort to clear Kingston’s harbor of obsolete vessels. The wreck is located in the Amherst Island Graveyard, a well-known site for the disposal of ships in the early 20th century.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreck of the RICKARTON lies within the Amherst Island Graveyard. While specific details about the condition of the wreck are not available, it is part of a larger graveyard of scuttled vessels that are accessible to divers. The site may present challenges such as debris and variable visibility, typical of wreck sites in this area.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

• Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Information for divers interested in exploring the Amherst Island Graveyard.
• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Historical data and ship histories, including details on vessels like the RICKARTON.
• Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: Archival footage and photographs documenting the wrecks of the Amherst Island Graveyard.
• Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: Photographs of shipwrecks in Lake Ontario, including possible images of the RICKARTON.

KEYWORDS #

• RICKARTON
• CHIPPEWA
• Amherst Island Graveyard
• Kingston Harbour clean-up
• Great Lakes shipwrecks
• Lake Ontario diving
• Scuttled vessels
• Canada Steamship Lines

ANALYSIS #

The RICKARTON (formerly CHIPPEWA) is a prime example of the transition and final disposition of many wooden schooners that once played a vital role in Great Lakes commerce. Built in 1890, the vessel’s history reflects the challenges faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes, including frequent groundings and collisions. The transition from CHIPPEWA to RICKARTON also highlights the common practice of renaming and repurposing vessels as they changed ownership and adapted to new roles.

The scuttling of the RICKARTON in the Amherst Island Graveyard is part of the broader narrative of early 20th-century maritime history in the Great Lakes, where many older vessels were deliberately sunk to clear harbors and make way for newer, more efficient ships. The graveyard itself serves as an underwater archive, preserving the remnants of this important era in North American shipping history. For divers and historians alike, the site offers a unique glimpse into the past, though challenges such as debris and limited visibility may be encountered.