Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Scotland
- Type: Wooden Barge / Schooner Hybrid
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: William Saunders, Brockville, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 146.7 ft (44.7 m); Beam 28.2 ft (8.6 m); Depth of hold 10.6 ft (3.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 424 net tons
- Location: Near Sparrow Hawk Point, St. Lawrence River
- Official Number: Enrollment Kingston No. 134 of 1863
- Original Owners: George Chaffee & Brothers, William Jones, Page & Company, James Buckly
- Number of Masts: Three masts (initially rigged as a schooner)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally built as a rigged barge for river service—with three masts and centre-board sailing rig, later converted to a non-rigged barge after mast removal.
Description
The SCOTLAND was a wooden barge-schooner hybrid, initially designed for river navigation. It featured a three-masted rigging system and a centre-board for enhanced maneuverability. Over its service life, the vessel underwent significant modifications, including the removal of its rigging, transforming it into a non-rigged barge.
History
Owned initially by George Chaffee & Brothers from 1863 to 1864, the SCOTLAND changed hands several times. From 1868 to 1873, it was owned by William Jones, during which time its rigging was removed. In 1873, the vessel was scuttled at Ferry Point near Belleville to escape creditors but was later raised and rebuilt in 1885 by Paradis at Sorel, Quebec. It re-entered service in the coal trade between Oswego and Montreal, with ownership transferred to James Buckly in 1886. Captains included John McGillies and Captain Dobbie.
Significant Incidents
- 1873: Scuttled at Ferry Point to escape creditors.
- 1885: Raised and rebuilt after being scuttled.
- 1903: Lost on 2 June near Sparrow Hawk Point; no recorded casualties.
Final Disposition
The SCOTLAND was lost on 2 June 1903 near Sparrow Hawk Point on the St. Lawrence River. The circumstances of its loss remain unclear, with no contemporary records indicating whether it was due to a collision, storm, or grounding. No casualties were recorded in available summaries.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known modern survey or GPS coordinates exist for the wreck of the SCOTLAND. It is presumed submerged in the river near Sparrow Hawk Point, with no public dive records found.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”scotland-1863″ title=”References & Links”]
The SCOTLAND was a wooden, schooner-rigged river barge launched at Brockville in 1863, which underwent multiple ownership changes, was scuttled and rebuilt, and ultimately lost on 2 June 1903. While its dimensions and service history are well documented, specific details regarding its final voyage and wreck site remain unknown. Further archival exploration is recommended to uncover its final fate.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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