Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Acacia C 126464

Explore the remains of the Acacia, a wooden schooner-barge from 1873, resting in 10 feet of water near Wolfe Island, offering a glimpse into Great Lakes maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Acacia
  • Type: Schooner-barge
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder: O’Meara & Co., Smith’s Falls, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Length: 102.3 ft (31.2 m); Beam: 24.2 ft (7.4 m); Depth of hold: 9.6 ft (2.9 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 215 tons; Net Tonnage: 188.01 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
  • Location: Marysville, Wolfe Island, St. Lawrence River
  • Coordinates: 44°11'39.6"N, 76°26'31.1"W
  • Official Number: C 126464
  • Original Owners: J. Conely, Alfred Oldreive, Wm. G. Woodman
  • Number of Masts: Schooner rigging

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Acacia was a wooden schooner-barge, a vessel type prevalent in the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways during the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily used to transport bulk goods like coal and grain. It featured a square stern and a carvel-built hull, where the planks were laid edge-to-edge, offering durability necessary for the rugged waters of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1873 by O’Meara & Co. in Smith’s Falls, Ontario, under the craftsmanship of Master Carpenter Wm. O’Mara, the Acacia was constructed to endure the challenging conditions of Great Lakes shipping. Initially owned by J. Conely and Alfred Oldreive, ownership shifted entirely to Conely in 1877. In 1878, Alfred Oldreive and partners took ownership again, and by 1888, the vessel underwent a rebuild to extend its service life, adapting to a changing maritime industry.

History

In 1903, the Acacia experienced a grounding on the Main Ducks, prompting rescue efforts from the tug Mary Hall and ultimately returning to service. By 1908, the vessel transitioned from a schooner-barge to a barge after foundering, continuing under Wm. G. Woodman’s ownership with Kingston as its homeport.

Significant Incidents

  • Grounding on the Main Ducks in 1903, requiring rescue efforts.
  • Transitioned from a schooner-barge to a barge by 1908 after foundering.

Final Disposition

The Acacia was removed from the Canadian registry in 1938 and left to decay in the shallow waters of Marysville Harbour on Wolfe Island, where it rests at a depth of about 10 feet. Its remains, though deteriorated, offer divers a glimpse into the past and the historical significance of Great Lakes shipping.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Due to its wooden structure and prolonged exposure to environmental wear, the Acacia is assumed to be in a deteriorated state. Situated in shallow waters, it remains accessible to divers and is visible from the surface during clear conditions, though sedimentation may impact visibility.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

Currently, no active Notices to Mariners relate to the Acacia wreck site. The vessel was abandoned in 1938 in Marysville Harbour, Wolfe Island, though no specific record documents the exact discovery date of the wreck.