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: Burt Barnes
• Alternate Names: None specified
• Registry Numbers:
  • U.S. Official Number: 3193
  • Canadian Registry Number: C150489
• Rig: Schooner (later modified with a third mast)
• Year Built: 1882
• Builder: Greenleaf S. Rand, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA
• Construction: Wooden hull, robust design, later modified for increased capacity
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 95.42 feet (29.1 meters)
  • Beam: 24.42 feet (7.4 meters)
  • Depth: 7.25 feet (2.2 meters)
  • Gross Tonnage: 134 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 127 tons
• Final Location: Lake Ontario, near Braddocks Point, approximately 10 miles south of Long Point
• Coordinates: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Burt Barnes was a wooden schooner initially rigged with two masts, later modified to include a third mast for enhanced cargo capacity and sailing performance. As a typical workhorse of the Great Lakes during the 19th century, this vessel was designed to transport bulk goods such as coal, lumber, and grain efficiently across the inland seas. The schooner’s rugged construction allowed it to endure the often unpredictable and harsh conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

The Burt Barnes was built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1882 by Greenleaf S. Rand, a master shipbuilder. Owned initially by J.W. Barnes, the schooner began service as a two-masted vessel before being modified with a third mast to increase its efficiency and capacity. The vessel operated on Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes, carrying vital goods that supported the economic growth of the region.

Ownership and Service Life

• 1882-1896: Owned by J.W. Barnes of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the vessel was primarily used for regional cargo transport.
• 1896-1899: Ownership passed to Oliver Oberg, also of Manitowoc. During this period, the schooner faced challenges, including stranding near Jacksonport, Wisconsin, in 1895. It was salvaged and returned to service.
• 1899-1904: Acquired by Thomas E. Torrison, the schooner continued cargo operations.
• 1904-1924: Under the ownership of Graham Brothers of Kincardine, Ontario, the vessel was re-registered under the Canadian number C150489. This marked the start of its service in Canadian waters.
• 1924-1926: The James Swift Coal Company of Kingston, Ontario, acquired the schooner. It primarily transported coal, a vital commodity for heating and industrial applications in the early 20th century.

Final Voyage and Sinking

On September 3, 1926, the Burt Barnes embarked on its final voyage from Sodus Point, New York, loaded with coal destined for Picton, Ontario. During the journey, the schooner encountered rough weather near Braddocks Point on Lake Ontario. Despite the crew’s efforts, the vessel could not withstand the storm’s fury and foundered.

The schooner and its cargo sank to the lakebed, marking the end of a distinguished career spanning over four decades. Fortunately, no loss of life was reported.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Burt Barnes rests on the bothttps://shotlinediving.comwp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Ontario, near Braddocks Point. Its exact wreck location remains undocumented, and the condition of the wreck is unknown due to the absence of modern exploration or surveys.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

Safety: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to this wreck site.

Accessibility: The wreck’s location has not been confirmed, and it remains unexplored.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck’s general vicinity near Braddocks Point is known, but the precise coordinates and details of its discovery, if any, are not available.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Comprehensive database of Great Lakes shipwrecks, including the Burt Barnes.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • Historical records detailing the vessel’s career and its role in the region’s shipping industry.
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
  • A source for information on ships constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
• Bowling Green State University Historical Collections
  • Archival materials on the Great Lakes maritime trade.
• Bruce County Museum Archives
  • Repository of historical data on vessels like the Burt Barnes.

ANALYSIS

The Burt Barnes embodies the resilience and versatility of Great Lakes schooners, showcasing how these vessels adapted to meet the demands of a growing economy. Its long service life, marked by multiple ownerships and modifications, highlights the dynamic nature of maritime trade in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s eventual sinking underscores the ever-present risks faced by sailors on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather could quickly turn a routine voyage into a disaster.

The wreck of the Burt Barnes, if discovered, would offer valuable insights into the design and operation of schooners during this period. It also stands as a testament to the vital role such vessels played in connecting communities and fostering commerce across the Great Lakes.

KEYWORDS

Burt Barnes, schooner, Lake Ontario, Braddocks Point, Manitowoc shipbuilding, Greenleaf S. Rand, coal transport, Great Lakes shipwreck, maritime history, 19th-century schooners, Great Lakes trade routes.

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