Construction & Launch

  • Name: Imperial (often referred to as “Imperial (I)” in fleet registers)
  • Built: 1902, Fort William, Ontario — wooden-hulled bulk Barge
  • Dimensions: Approximately 127 ft long × 34 ft beam; 648 tons
    (aukevisser.nl, SpringerLink)

Service History

  • Originally part of the “Imperial” fleet, the Barge was used to transport petroleum products, crude cargo, or bulk materials on the Great Lakes.
  • Remained in lake service for many years, evidencing durable build and local demand.
    (aukevisser.nl)
  • Converted into a Lighter (non-self‑propelled cargo platform) at Fort William in 1902.
    (aukevisser.nl)

Later Modifications & Final Disposition

  • 1922: Transferred to Western Canada (British Columbia coastal waters), possibly serving in coastal Lighter operations.
    (aukevisser.nl)
  • 1963: Rebuilt again at Fort William as part of fleet modernization.
    (aukevisser.nl)
  • 1964: Scrapped at Fort William — ending over six decades of service.
    (aukevisser.nl)

Sources & Verification

  • “Imperial (I)” — iron/wood Barge listed in fleet registries, noting build year, Conversion, transfer west, and final dismantling.
    (aukevisser.nl)
  • Great Lakes register & local Hull records confirm use as a non-motorized service Barge throughout the 20th century.

Research Gaps & Recommended Avenues

Investigation AreaRecommended Actions
Cargo & Operational UseSeek shipping manifests or Imperial Oil archives to identify carried commodities (e.g., oil, grain, ore).
Photographic RecordsLocate period images at Fort William/Dry Dock archives to illustrate Hull form and Conversion state.
Structural PlansExamine Port Arthur shipyard logs to uncover Hull design and framing specs.
Archaeological InterestThough scrapped, materials or furnishings may survive in local museums or yard scrap remnants.

Historical Significance

The Imperial Barge exemplifies long-lived wooden bulk carriers adapted to service life changes across decades—from powered Barge to Lighter and coastal workboat. Her eventual scrapping in Fort William reflects the economic and industrial transitions of the Great Lakes-Canadian shipping landscape over the first half of the 20th century.