The steambarge Iona, built in Trenton, Ontario, in 1892, met a tragic end when it fell victim to a destructive fire. The vessel, propelled by a screw and weighing 232 tons, changed ownership several times throughout its history. Initially owned by J. D. Vanalstyne of Milford, Ontario, it later came under the ownership of E. A. Hall and F. E. Hall, both from L’Orignal, Ontario. In 1912, the ship underwent a transformation and was converted into a steam barge.
The exact date of the incident varies among sources, with possible dates being October 5, May 18, or November 15. However, it is confirmed that the vessel was destroyed by fire near Oswego, New York, in the United States. The circumstances leading to the fire and subsequent destruction of the ship remain unclear.
The steambarge Iona, well-known in the port of Oswego, was on its way from Sodus Point to Montreal, carrying a cargo of coal when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire could not be determined. Captain Paul Hammond and the twelve crew members managed to escape the burning ship by taking to the lifeboats. They drifted through a stormy night until they reached Henderson Harbor, New York, where they landed on Sunday morning. The crew members, mostly from Montreal, then made their way to their respective homes.
The vessel, owned by the F.E. Hall company of Montreal, had a displacement of 500 tons and was insured. Unfortunately, there was no insurance coverage for the cargo of coal, resulting in an estimated loss of $20,000.
The Iona had departed from Oswego after loading a shipment of lumber from Three Rivers, near Montreal, for the Diamond Match company. The burning of the vessel was witnessed from various points along the shore of Lake Ontario.
Additional details reveal the harrowing experience of the crew as they battled the fire and faced harsh weather conditions. The crew members abandoned the ship in a lifeboat, leaving behind one of the lifeboats with the burning vessel. The fire had broken out when the Iona was approximately fifteen miles north of Oswego. Captain Paul Hymond, along with his crew of twelve men, managed to escape, although they suffered exhaustion and exposure during their overnight drift. The ship, a wooden screw propeller measuring 150 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 12 feet in depth, was a ten-year-old vessel primarily engaged in the lake and canal coal carrying trade.
Survivors of the Iona’s crew, including Ross Bovay from Picton, arrived in Kingston with thrilling tales of their miraculous escape. They described the challenging conditions they faced, including rough waters and extreme cold. The crew members had to navigate the lifeboat wherever it took them until they eventually reached Henderson’s Harbor. Captain Max Shaw of the steamer Sowards, who was also on the lake that night, reported the rough weather conditions and observed the light of the burning vessel.
The burning and sinking of the Iona marked the end of its existence, which had spanned several years since its construction in 1892. The ship played a significant role in the transportation of goods and materials, particularly coal. However, its final chapter was marred by tragedy, leaving only the memories and accounts of its owners, operators, and survivors to preserve its legacy.
