Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Barge No. 23
- Type: Wooden River Barge
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Quebec, Quebec, Canada
- Dimensions: 94.3 ft (28.7 m); Beam 18.8 ft (5.7 m); Depth 6.8 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 109 tons
- Location: Near Picton, Ontario
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Original Owners: Sincennes & McNaughton Line; E. Berry & Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Barge No. 23 was a single-decked wooden river barge designed for the transportation of bulk goods, including lumber and grains, along the interconnected waterways of Quebec, Ontario, and the Great Lakes. Rebuilt in 1860 to increase its tonnage and carrying capacity, it served as an essential cargo vessel in the mid-19th century. Towed by tugboats, it reflected the evolving infrastructure of Great Lakes shipping.
Description
Constructed in 1855 in Quebec City, the Barge No. 23 began its operational life transporting goods along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. In 1860, the vessel was rebuilt, boosting its tonnage to 98 tons and extending its ability to carry 7,000 bushels of goods. By 1862, it was registered as Twenty Three, now officially listed with 109 tons of tonnage.
History
In the early 1860s, Barge No. 23 became part of the Montreal-based Sincennes & McNaughton Line. This company was a significant operator in regional shipping, connecting the thriving trade networks of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.
In 1864, the barge was acquired by E. Berry & Company of Kingston, Ontario. Under this ownership, it continued to transport lumber and other goods, emphasizing its adaptability to various trades.
Significant Incidents
On August 15, 1866, while carrying a load of lumber, Barge No. 23 was under tow near Long Point on Lake Ontario. Severe conditions caused the barge to break adrift from its tugboat. Exposed to the elements and unable to regain control, the vessel ultimately foundered near Picton, Ontario.
The incident tragically claimed the lives of three crew members. Criticism was directed at the tugboat’s captain, who was accused of failing to provide timely assistance. An inquest was adjourned pending further evidence, highlighting concerns over potential negligence.
The wreck resulted in substantial financial losses, with the hull of Barge No. 23 valued at $800 and its cargo of lumber estimated at $1,300—a considerable sum for the era. The barge was uninsured, compounding the economic impact of the loss.
Final Disposition
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the wreck of Barge No. 23, as the incident occurred in the 19th century and the exact location of the wreck remains unknown. The wreck of Barge No. 23 has not been located, and its precise resting place near Picton, Ontario, remains undocumented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: Given the wooden construction and over 150 years of submersion, the wreck would likely be in a highly deteriorated state, with minimal structural remnants if any.
Accessibility: The site is not documented as a known or accessible wreck for divers or researchers, leaving its exact state and location a mystery.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”barge-no-23-twenty-three” title=”References & Links”]
Barge No. 23 epitomizes the critical role of wooden barges in the transportation infrastructure of the 19th century. Serving the grain and lumber trades, the vessel contributed to the economic vitality of the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes regions. Its tragic end near Picton underscores the hazards of early towing operations and the perilous conditions faced by mariners of the time. The incident also highlights issues of maritime accountability, as seen in the criticism of the tugboat captain’s actions during the wreck. While the wreck of Barge No. 23 remains undiscovered, its story survives through historical records, offering a glimpse into the challenges and risks of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Name: Barge No. 23 (also referred to as Twenty Three)
- Type: Wooden River Barge
- Built At: Quebec, Quebec, Canada
- Construction Year: 1855
- Rebuilt: 1860, with increased tonnage
- Homeport: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Dimensions (Post-Rebuild):
- Length: 94.3 feet (28.7 meters)
- Beam (Width): 18.8 feet (5.7 meters)
- Depth: 6.8 feet (2.1 meters)
- Tonnage: 98 tons (109 tons registered in 1862)
- Cargo Capacity: 7,000 bushels
- Final Resting Place: Near Picton, Ontario, Lake Ontario
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Depth at Wreck Site: Not specified
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Barge No. 23 was a single-decked wooden river barge designed for the transportation of bulk goods, including lumber and grains, along the interconnected waterways of Quebec, Ontario, and the Great Lakes. Rebuilt in 1860 to increase its tonnage and carrying capacity, it served as an essential cargo vessel in the mid-19th century. Towed by tugboats, it reflected the evolving infrastructure of Great Lakes shipping.
HISTORY
Construction and Early Service
Constructed in 1855 in Quebec City, the Barge No. 23 began its operational life transporting goods along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes. In 1860, the vessel was rebuilt, boosting its tonnage to 98 tons and extending its ability to carry 7,000 bushels of goods. By 1862, it was registered as Twenty Three, now officially listed with 109 tons of tonnage.
Sincennes & McNaughton Line
In the early 1860s, Barge No. 23 became part of the Montreal-based Sincennes & McNaughton Line. This company was a significant operator in regional shipping, connecting the thriving trade networks of the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.
Ownership Changes
In 1864, the barge was acquired by E. Berry & Company of Kingston, Ontario. Under this ownership, it continued to transport lumber and other goods, emphasizing its adaptability to various trades.
FINAL VOYAGE AND LOSS
The Incident
On August 15, 1866, while carrying a load of lumber, Barge No. 23 was under tow near Long Point on Lake Ontario. Severe conditions caused the barge to break adrift from its tugboat. Exposed to the elements and unable to regain control, the vessel ultimately foundered near Picton, Ontario.
Casualties
The incident tragically claimed the lives of three crew members. Criticism was directed at the tugboat’s captain, who was accused of failing to provide timely assistance. An inquest was adjourned pending further evidence, highlighting concerns over potential negligence.
Losses
The wreck resulted in substantial financial losses, with the hull of Barge No. 23 valued at $800 and its cargo of lumber estimated at $1,300—a considerable sum for the era. The barge was uninsured, compounding the economic impact of the loss.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) regarding the wreck of Barge No. 23, as the incident occurred in the 19th century and the exact location of the wreck remains unknown.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The wreck of Barge No. 23 has not been located, and its precise resting place near Picton, Ontario, remains undocumented.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
Condition: Given the wooden construction and over 150 years of submersion, the wreck would likely be in a highly deteriorated state, with minimal structural remnants if any.
Accessibility: The site is not documented as a known or accessible wreck for divers or researchers, leaving its exact state and location a mystery.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- List of Vessels on the Registry Books of the Dominion of Canada as of December 31, 1874
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships Database
- Records of the Sincennes & McNaughton Line, which may provide context on the vessel’s operational history.
- Kingston and Montreal archives for additional details on the vessel’s construction and rebuild.
ANALYSIS
Barge No. 23 epitomizes the critical role of wooden barges in the transportation infrastructure of the 19th century. Serving the grain and lumber trades, the vessel contributed to the economic vitality of the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes regions. Its tragic end near Picton underscores the hazards of early towing operations and the perilous conditions faced by mariners of the time.
The incident also highlights issues of maritime accountability, as seen in the criticism of the tugboat captain’s actions during the wreck. While the wreck of Barge No. 23 remains undiscovered, its story survives through historical records, offering a glimpse into the challenges and risks of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce.
KEYWORDS
Barge No. 23, Twenty Three, wooden river barge, Great Lakes shipwreck, Picton Ontario, Sincennes & McNaughton Line, E. Berry & Company, Lake Ontario maritime history.
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