Cobourg – Lake Ontario Schooner Shipwreck (1967)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Cobourg
• Type: Steel Schooner Barge
• Year Built: 1898
• Builder: Canadian Locomotive and Engineering Co. Ltd., Kingston, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length: 179.6 ft (54.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 634 tons (Gross); 607 tons (Net)
• Depth at Wreck Site: 70 m / 230 ft
• Location: Amherst Island, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: N44° 08.101′ W76° 49.67′
• Original Owners: Montreal Transportation Co., Canada Steamship Lines, Donnelly, Sin-Mac, McAllister Towing

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Cobourg was a steel-hulled schooner barge launched in 1898, featuring a robust design with steel framing, upper sides, and decking, combined with wooden planking below the waterline. Equipped with a donkey boiler for powering winches and pumps, the Cobourg was built to handle bulk cargoes efficiently. Its design epitomized late 19th-century advancements in maritime engineering, marrying the durability of steel with traditional wooden construction for versatility and strength.

Description

The Cobourg was constructed by the Canadian Locomotive and Engineering Co. Ltd. in Kingston, Ontario, for the Montreal Transportation Co. Named after the port town of Cobourg, Ontario, the vessel primarily served as a cargo carrier, transporting materials like timber and coal across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its launch marked a significant addition to the fleet supporting Canada’s industrial expansion during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

History

Over the decades, the Cobourg became a vital part of regional shipping operations. Notable milestones include:

• 1902: Valued at $19,000, reflecting its status as a key transportation asset.
• 1912–1913: Underwent extensive repairs, ensuring continued service.
• 1920: Acquired by Canada Steamship Lines for $40,500, extending its operational life.
• Later Ownership: Passed through the hands of prominent companies, including Donnelly, Sin-Mac, and McAllister Towing, indicating its enduring utility.

By the 1960s, advancements in maritime technology rendered the Cobourg obsolete. With newer vessels dominating the shipping lanes, the aging schooner barge was decommissioned. After nearly 70 years of service, it was scuttled in 1967 near Amherst Island in Lake Ontario, a deliberate act marking its retirement.

Significant Incidents

The Cobourg was intentionally sunk off Amherst Island at a depth of 230 feet (70 meters). This practice, common for retired vessels, ensured the ship would not pose a navigational hazard while providing an opportunity for future exploration and preservation as a historical artifact.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Cobourg lies undisturbed on the lakebed. Due to its depth, it is accessible primarily to technical divers equipped for deep dives. The vessel’s steel structure and hybrid design offer insights into late 19th-century shipbuilding techniques, making it a valuable site for maritime historians and enthusiasts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Cobourg is a significant artifact of the industrial and maritime history of the Great Lakes. Its long career, spanning ownership changes and technological adaptations, reflects the evolution of shipping practices in the region. The deliberate scuttling of the vessel adds a layer of intentional preservation, allowing future generations to study its construction and role in Canada’s maritime heritage.

Resources & Links

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The Cobourg exemplifies the critical role played by schooner barges in supporting industrial trade on the Great Lakes. From its construction in Kingston to its scuttling near Amherst Island, the vessel’s life story mirrors the broader evolution of maritime transportation during its era. Today, its resting place serves as a silent witness to the ingenuity and industriousness of the period, preserving a rich legacy for historians and divers alike.