IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Kitty Freil was a wooden propeller barge built around 1869. Originally measuring 91 feet in length, the barge was constructed with the specific purpose of serving as a steam-powered cargo vessel on the waterways of Ontario. As a propeller barge, the Kitty Freil was equipped with a screw propulsion system, which was relatively advanced for its time, providing efficient navigation through the challenging currents of the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal.
HISTORY: #
The Kitty Freil began its service life in the late 1860s, with its initial construction including a visit to the Kingston Foundry in August 1869 to have its engines installed, as reported by the Daily News of Kingston, Ontario. The vessel was designed to transport goods along the busy shipping routes of the St. Lawrence River and the Rideau Canal, which were vital arteries for trade and transportation in the region.
However, the Kitty Freil’s service was marked by significant misfortunes. In 1873, while navigating the St. Lawrence River, the barge caught fire and suffered considerable damage. Following this incident, the vessel underwent a reconstruction, during which its length was extended to 99 feet. This rebuild was likely done to increase its cargo capacity and improve its overall efficiency as a working vessel.
Despite the rebuild, tragedy struck the Kitty Freil again in August 1879. This time, the barge was navigating the Rideau Canal when it once more caught fire. The circumstances surrounding this second burning are not well-documented, but the event was significant enough to be memorialized in a folk song by Tamarack, highlighting its impact on local history and culture.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The second fire in 1879 marked the end of the Kitty Freil’s service life. The vessel was likely completely destroyed by the fire, and no records suggest any further attempts at rebuilding or salvaging the barge. The exact location of the wreck within the Rideau Canal is not detailed in available records, but the burning of the Kitty Freil remains an event of historical significance, particularly in the local folklore of the area.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Kitty Freil have been identified.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Daily News (Kingston, ON), August 23, 1869: Provides early records of the Kitty Freil’s construction and its visit to the Kingston Foundry for engine installation.
- Tamarack Folk Song Archives: Documenting the song memorializing the Kitty Freil’s burning in the Rideau Canal.
CONCLUSION: #
The Kitty Freil’s history is a testament to the challenges faced by wooden vessels in the 19th century, particularly those operating in the often treacherous waters of the St. Lawrence River and Rideau Canal. Despite its promising start and subsequent rebuild, the vessel’s career was cut short by two devastating fires. The barge’s legacy lives on in local folklore, where its story continues to resonate with the people of Ontario.
KEYWORDS: #
Kitty Freil, Propeller Barge, St. Lawrence River, Rideau Canal, 19th-century maritime history, Wooden shipwreck, Kingston Foundry, Tamarack folk song, Maritime fire.
