Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Caroline
- Type: Bulk freight barge
- Year Built: 1848
- Builder: Garden Island, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 120
- Location: St. Lawrence River
- Original Owners: Dexter D. Calvin; Glassford & Co.
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Caroline was a wooden bulk freight barge designed for transporting various commodities, including grain and timber, across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
Description
The Caroline was constructed in 1848 at Garden Island, Ontario, primarily for Dexter D. Calvin. It was built to carry bulk freight, which included essential goods like grain and industrial materials.
History
Initially owned by Dexter D. Calvin until 1854, the Caroline was sold to Glassford & Co. The vessel underwent repairs that likely extended its operational life. However, it sank in November 1858 in the St. Lawrence River, amidst a broader incident involving other barges.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: November 1858
- Final Cargo: Grain
- Cause: The Caroline sank alongside two other barges, the Sophia and Margaret, which lost their deckloads during rough weather, leading to instability.
Final Disposition
The Caroline was declared a total loss following its sinking. There is no record of a formal discovery or survey of the wreck, and it is likely that significant remains are not intact due to its wooden construction and age.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Caroline remains uncertain, as it has not been formally located or surveyed. It may lie undiscovered or in a fragmented state in the St. Lawrence River.
Resources & Links
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The Caroline serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the risks faced by vessels in the 19th century, particularly in the busy shipping corridors of the St. Lawrence River.
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