Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Commodore Barrie

Explore the wreck of the Commodore Barrie, a significant steamer in Lake Ontario’s maritime history, resting at 300 feet with excellent preservation conditions.

GPS: 44.010042, -76.705203

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Commodore Barrie
  • Type: Steamer
  • Year Built: 1833
  • Builder: Gildersleeve, Kingston, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Length 144 ft (42 m); Beam 38 ft (11.6 m); Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 91.4 m / 300 ft
  • Location: Approximately 10 miles off Long Point, west of Kingston, Lake Ontario
  • Coordinates: [Not specified]

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Commodore Barrie was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamship powered by twin engines, marking it as a key vessel in the early development of steam-powered transportation on Lake Ontario. Designed for both cargo and passenger service, it was a prominent player in the burgeoning maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the 1830s and early 1840s. Launched in 1833 in Kingston, Ontario, the Commodore Barrie was operated by a joint stock company. It played a vital role in connecting ports around Lake Ontario, transporting both goods and passengers efficiently during an era of growing commerce.

Description

The Commodore Barrie sank approximately 10 miles off Long Point in Lake Ontario, west of Kingston. The wreck remains an important but challenging site for exploration due to its depth and conditions.

History

Despite its significance, the vessel’s history was marred by several mishaps:

  • August 29, 1839: Collision with the steamship William IV, resulting in significant damage.
  • Repairs and Continuation: After repairs, the vessel resumed operations, remaining a critical asset until its final year.

Final Incident

  • Date of Loss: April 30, 1842
  • Details of Incident:
    • During a routine voyage from Niagara to Kingston, the Commodore Barrie collided with the schooner Canada near Presque Isle.
  • The collision inflicted catastrophic damage to the ship’s bow, causing it to take on water rapidly.

Despite attempts to salvage the vessel by lightening its load and carrying out makeshift repairs, the steamship sank to the bottom of Lake Ontario at a depth of 300 feet. Remarkably, no lives were lost, as the crew and passengers were rescued by the schooner Canada. At the time of its sinking, the vessel carried 500 barrels of flour and was valued at $15,000—a significant sum for the era. The ship was uninsured, compounding the financial loss to its owners.

Significant Incidents

  • August 29, 1839: Collision with the steamship William IV, resulting in significant damage.
  • April 30, 1842: Collision with the schooner Canada near Presque Isle, leading to the sinking of the Commodore Barrie.

Final Disposition

The Commodore Barrie sank approximately 10 miles off Long Point in Lake Ontario, west of Kingston. The wreck remains an important but challenging site for exploration due to its depth and conditions.

Current Condition & Accessibility

  • Depth: 300 feet (91.4 meters)
  • Preservation: The cold, low-oxygen environment at this depth likely contributes to excellent preservation of the wooden hull and other structures.
  • Accessibility: Accessible only to highly experienced technical divers equipped for deep diving. Requires specialized training and equipment due to challenging conditions, including cold water temperatures, strong currents, and limited visibility.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”commodore-barrie” title=”References & Links”]

The wreck of the Commodore Barrie represents a fascinating chapter in the early history of steam-powered navigation on the Great Lakes. Its sinking highlights the inherent risks of maritime travel during the 19th century, including navigation challenges and the limitations of early shipbuilding. For technical divers, the well-preserved wreck offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore an artifact of Great Lakes history. However, the depth and conditions at the site necessitate careful preparation and expertise.

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: Commodore Barrie
  • Type: Steamer
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 144 feet (42 meters)
    • Beam: 38 feet (11.6 meters)
  • Construction: Wooden hull, two decks
  • Built: 1833 by Gildersleeve, Kingston, Ontario
  • Location of Wreck: Approximately 10 miles off Long Point, west of Kingston, Lake Ontario
  • GPS Coordinates: [Not specified]
  • Depth: 300 feet (91.4 meters) or 50 fathoms

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Commodore Barrie was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamship powered by twin engines, marking it as a key vessel in the early development of steam-powered transportation on Lake Ontario. Designed for both cargo and passenger service, it was a prominent player in the burgeoning maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the 1830s and early 1840s. Launched in 1833 in Kingston, Ontario, the Commodore Barrie was operated by a joint stock company. It played a vital role in connecting ports around Lake Ontario, transporting both goods and passengers efficiently during an era of growing commerce.

Operational Incidents

Despite its significance, the vessel’s history was marred by several mishaps:

  • August 29, 1839: Collision with the steamship William IV, resulting in significant damage.
  • Repairs and Continuation: After repairs, the vessel resumed operations, remaining a critical asset until its final year.

Final Incident

  • Date of Loss: April 30, 1842
  • Details of Incident:
    • During a routine voyage from Niagara to Kingston, the Commodore Barrie collided with the schooner Canada near Presque Isle.
  • The collision inflicted catastrophic damage to the ship’s bow, causing it to take on water rapidly.

•Despite attempts to salvage the vessel by lightening its load and carrying out makeshift repairs, the steamship sank to the bottom of Lake Ontario at a depth of 300 feet.

Remarkably, no lives were lost, as the crew and passengers were rescued by the schooner Canada. At the time of its sinking, the vessel carried 500 barrels of flour and was valued at $15,000—a significant sum for the era. The ship was uninsured, compounding the financial loss to its owners.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Commodore Barrie sank approximately 10 miles off Long Point in Lake Ontario, west of Kingston. The wreck remains an important but challenging site for exploration due to its depth and conditions.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE

While the wreck is known to local maritime historians and technical divers, no specific details about its discovery or the individuals involved are provided.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

  • •Depth: 300 feet (91.4 meters)
  • •Preservation: The cold, low-oxygen environment at this depth likely contributes to excellent preservation of the wooden hull and other structures.
  • Accessibility:
  • Accessible only to highly experienced technical divers equipped for deep diving.
  • Requires specialized training and equipment due to challenging conditions, including cold water temperatures, strong currents, and limited visibility.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical data and context for the Commodore Barrie and similar vessels.
  • Wrecksite Database: Information on shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.
  • Great Lakes Historical Society: Research and archival material on Great Lakes maritime history.
  • Technical Diving Resources: Guidance on deep diving practices and Lake Ontario-specific conditions.

KEYWORDS •Commodore Barrie, Steamer, Lake Ontario shipwrecks, 19th-century steamships, Long Point, schooner Canada, historical collisions, technical diving, Great Lakes maritime history.

ANALYSIS

The wreck of the Commodore Barrie represents a fascinating chapter in the early history of steam-powered navigation on the Great Lakes. Its sinking highlights the inherent risks of maritime travel during the 19th century, including navigation challenges and the limitations of early shipbuilding. For technical divers, the well-preserved wreck offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore an artifact of Great Lakes history. However, the depth and conditions at the site necessitate careful preparation and expertise.

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