\Identification & Site Information
Vessel Type Description The W.J. Carter was a wooden steambarge, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo, such as coal, lumber, and other materials. The vessel featured a screw propulsion system powered by a steeple compound engine, making it efficient for its time. Steambarges like the W.J. Carter were vital to the shipping industry on the Great Lakes, providing essential services for the transport of goods between ports.
History The W.J. Carter was constructed in 1886 by Wolf & Davidson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Initially owned by W.J. Carter and J.R. Cook from Chicago, Illinois, the steambarge was built for the transportation of lumber and other bulk goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel’s construction included a single deck, round stern, and a powerful engine capable of driving the screw propulsion system.
Throughout its operational life, the W.J. Carter underwent several ownership changes. In 1893, it came under the ownership of J.E. Danaher from Ludington, Michigan, and shortly thereafter, Danaher & A.C. Wanvig. By 1902, the vessel was owned by John W. Greenwood from Buffalo, New York. The Churchill Lumber Co. from Alpena, Michigan, acquired the steambarge in 1907, reflecting its continued use in the lumber trade.
In 1913, the W.J. Carter was purchased by Fin & Olsen Freighting Co. from Ogdensburg, New York, and later by the Ogdensburg Steamship Co., with Edward J. Burns as the owner in 1918. The vessel encountered trouble in 1919 when it ran aground on Yorkshire Island in Lake Ontario, an incident that signaled the beginning of the end for the steambarge.
By 1920, the W.J. Carter had been re-registered in Canada under the ownership of Robert Hicks Coal & Towing Co. from Cobourg, Ontario. The vessel was re-registered with the official number C141754, reflecting its new registration under Canadian ownership. Despite this transition, the steambarge continued to face challenges in the increasingly competitive shipping industry of the early 20th century.
Final Voyage and Fate The W.J. Carter met its final fate on July 28, 1923, when it foundered during a gale approximately 20 miles south of the Point Petre Lighthouse in Lake Ontario. At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying a cargo of coal and was bound from Oswego, New York, to Cobourg, Ontario. The steambarge encountered a leak during the storm, which ultimately led to its sinking. Fortunately, the crew was rescued, avoiding any loss of life.
NOTMARs & Advisories There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the W.J. Carter‘s wreck site. However, its sinking location is of historical interest, especially given its significance as a steambarge in the Great Lakes shipping industry.
Located By & Date The wreck of the W.J. Carter is located approximately 20 miles south of the Point Petre Lighthouse in Lake Ontario. The exact coordinates and condition of the wreck have not been extensively documented, but the site remains a point of interest for maritime historians and divers.
Current Condition & Accessibility The wreck of the W.J. Carter lies at the bottom of Lake Ontario, with its exact condition unknown. Given the vessel’s age and the nature of its sinking, the remains may be in a state of decay, but they could still offer valuable insights into the construction and operation of steambarges during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site may be accessible to experienced divers, though further exploration is needed to fully understand its current state.
Resources & Links
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Contains detailed records and descriptions of shipwrecks, including the W.J. Carter.
- Great Lakes Ships: Provides information and histories of ships that sailed the Great Lakes, including the W.J. Carter.
Keywords W.J. Carter, steambarge, Lake Ontario, shipwreck, screw propulsion, maritime history, Great Lakes, Robert Hicks Coal & Towing Co.
Analysis The W.J. Carter‘s history is emblematic of the vital role steambarges played in the Great Lakes shipping industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1886, the vessel served a variety of owners and transported numerous cargoes across the Great Lakes. Its final voyage in 1923, which ended in tragedy during a gale on Lake Ontario, underscores the challenges faced by these vessels, particularly as they aged and encountered increasingly harsh conditions. The W.J. Carter‘s sinking marked the end of an era for wooden steambarges, which were gradually being replaced by more modern, steel-hulled ships. The vessel’s story, from its construction to its final moments, offers valuable insights into the evolution of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.
