Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unidentified Wood Barge
- Type: Barge
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Cataraqui Bridge, Kingston, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Barge
Description
On October 5, 1869, a wooden barge caught fire while moored at the railway drawbridge at Cataraqui Bridge in Kingston, Ontario. To extinguish the blaze and prevent damage to the bridge structure, the barge was intentionally scuttled—deliberately sunk—in the river channel under the draw span.
History
This incident is recorded in Daily British Whig, October 5, 1869. The barge was likely carrying freight or local commodities at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire remains unspecified.
Significant Incidents
- Date: October 5, 1869
- Location: Cataraqui Bridge (railway drawbridge), Kingston, Ontario
- Vessel: Wood-deck barge—likely carrying freight or local commodities
- Cause: Onboard fire (origin unspecified) while at dock
- Action: Barge scuttled by sinking it beneath the bridge to extinguish the fire and prevent spread to shore or bridge
- Casualties: None reported
- Outcome: Emergency response; no mention of salvage or damage to bridge
Final Disposition
The scuttling of the barge was a recognized method to combat fire in enclosed floating vessels, particularly at bridge docks. The incident did not result in reported casualties, and there was no mention of salvage operations or damage to the bridge.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it remains unidentified and unexamined. The scuttled barge may pose navigation hazards in the area.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”unidentified-wood-barge-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
This event exemplifies mid-19th-century maritime fire response methods in small inland harbour settings. Further archival work—particularly local newspaper and harbour records—could identify the barge and enhance the historical understanding of Kingston’s maritime safety practices.
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.
at Cataraqui Bridge, Kingston (October 5, 1869)
Event Overview
On October 5, 1869, a wooden barge caught fire while moored at the railway drawbridge at Cataraqui Bridge in Kingston, Ontario. To extinguish the blaze and prevent damage to the bridge structure, the barge was intentionally scuttled—deliberately sunk—in the river channel under the draw span. This incident is recorded in Daily British Whig, October 5, 1869.
Incident Details
- Date: October 5, 1869
- Location: Cataraqui Bridge (railway drawbridge), Kingston, Ontario
- Vessel: Wood-deck barge—likely carrying freight or local commodities
- Cause: Onboard fire (origin unspecified) while at dock
- Action: Barge scuttled by sinking it beneath the bridge to extinguish the fire and prevent spread to shore or bridge
- Casualties: None reported
- Outcome: Emergency response; no mention of salvage or damage to bridge
Context & Significance
- Fire suppression tactic: Scuttling was a recognized method to combat fire in enclosed floating vessels, particularly at bridge docks.
- Harbour operations: Cataraqui Bridge handles rail and marine traffic; vessel scuttling here would prompt navigation hazards.
- Investigative gap: The lack of vessel identification leaves the barge anonymous; registry or shipping manifests may help identify the vessel.
Further Research Opportunities
- Newspaper Follow-Up
- Explore Daily British Whig and other Kingston papers in the weeks following Oct. 5, 1869, for:
- Initial fire reports
- Possibly named the barge or crew
- Commentary on bridge/fire damage
- Explore Daily British Whig and other Kingston papers in the weeks following Oct. 5, 1869, for:
- Rail & Harbour Authority Records
- Check railway company (Grand Trunk Railway) logs and Kingston harbour authority documents for:
- Incident reports
- Scuttling protocols
- Clean-up operations
- Check railway company (Grand Trunk Railway) logs and Kingston harbour authority documents for:
- Registry & Freight Logs
- Examine shipping manifests docked at Cataraqui Bridge in late summer 1869 to identify barges active in the area.
- River Navigation Notices
- Search for Notices to Mariners or regional bulletins detailing temporary hazards or navigation prohibitions caused by the sunken barge under the drawbridge.
- Archival Visual Records
- Seek out sketches, paintings, or photographs of the Cataraqui Bridge area that may depict the barge or fire-related damage. The Kingston Historical Society and Parks Canada Rideau archives are promising sources.
Summary
A wooden barge caught fire at the Cataraqui Bridge in Kingston on October 5, 1869, and was deliberately scuttled to douse the blaze and protect critical infrastructure. Although the vessel remains unnamed, this event exemplifies mid-19th-century maritime fire response methods in small inland harbour settings. Further archival work—particularly local newspaper and harbour records—could identify the barge and enhance the historical understanding of Kingston’s maritime safety practices.
unidentified-wood-barge-1869 1869-10-05 16:16:00