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

• Vessel Name: British Lion
• Year of Build: 1900
• Built at: Ottawa, Ontario
• Type: Tugboat (Screw-Propelled)
• Hull Materials: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Original Official Number: 111441
• Tonnage (Gross): 42 tons
• Engine: 12×12, manufactured by Hamilton Bros., Buffalo (built in 1876)
• Length, Beam, Depth: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The British Lion was a wooden tugboat, vital for towing operations and assisting larger vessels in the waterways of Ontario. With a gross tonnage of 42 tons and powered by a screw propulsion system, it was equipped with a reliable engine manufactured by Hamilton Bros. in Buffalo in 1876. Although modest in size, tugboats like the British Lion were integral to the bustling maritime industry of early 20th-century Canada, ensuring efficient transportation and navigation along rivers and canals.

History

Early Service:

The British Lion began operations in 1900, shortly after being built in Ottawa, Ontario. Initially owned by H. Easton of Merrickville, Ontario, the tugboat played a crucial role in towing barges and aiding ships in maneuvering through Ontario’s waterways.

By 1903, ownership was transferred to E. A. Johnson in L’Orignal, Ontario, reflecting its continued demand for supporting commerce and transportation in the region. The transfer indicates the vessel’s adaptability and reliability in various operations, including towing, cargo handling, and assisting with navigation in busy or challenging waterways.

Contributions to Maritime Trade:

The British Lion was part of a fleet of similar tugboats that were essential for the smooth operation of Canada’s maritime economy. Tugboats facilitated the movement of goods, ensuring that larger vessels could navigate efficiently in harbors, rivers, and through canal systems.

Final Disposition

Date of Wreck: June 11, 1904

Location and Circumstances: The British Lion met its demise under tragic circumstances, but the exact details and location of the wreck are not well-documented in available records. The reasons for the wreck, whether due to weather, collision, or mechanical failure, remain unknown.

The loss of the British Lion marked the end of its short but significant service in Ontario’s maritime industry.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the British Lion. However, as with many early 20th-century wrecks, the site likely poses minimal navigational hazards today, especially if it remains in an undetermined or inaccessible location.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes vessels and their contributions.
• Ottawa Historical Archives: Offers insights into regional maritime history and tugboat operations.
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks: May provide additional information about shipwrecks in Ontario’s waterways.

Conclusion

The British Lion represents the vital but often understated role of tugboats in the maritime trade and transportation network of early 20th-century Canada. Despite its relatively short lifespan and the lack of detailed records surrounding its wreck, the tugboat’s contributions to the regional economy were significant. The British Lion’s story is a reminder of the critical support roles played by smaller vessels in navigating and sustaining the waterways that connected Canadian communities during this era.

Keywords British Lion Tugboat Screw-Propelled Vessel Wooden Shipwreck Early 20th-Century Maritime History Merrickville, Ontario L’Orignal, Ontario Hamilton Bros. Engine Great Lakes Tug Operations Wreck of the British Lion

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