IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION



  • Vessel Name: TIGER

  • Registry: Canadian

  • Official Number: Not specified

  • Built By: George Tate

  • Place of Construction: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

  • Year Built: 1863

  • Length: 106.83 feet (32.55 meters)

  • Tonnage: 202.45 tons (register tonnage)

  • Capacity: 13,000 bushels

  • Design: Round Stern, no masts


VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION


The TIGER was a river Barge constructed in 1863 by George Tate in Montreal, Quebec. Designed primarily for the transportation of bulk cargo, such as grain, it featured a round Stern and was built without any masts, which was typical of barges of its era. The TIGER was utilized extensively in the grain trade along the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes.


HISTORY


The TIGER had an operational history that spanned from 1863 to 1895, during which it saw multiple changes in ownership and underwent several assessments that reflected its changing condition:



  • 1866: Rated 1 and valued at $3,000.

  • 1878: Rating increased to 2, with a value of $3,500.

  • 1884: Received a B11⁄2 rating.

  • 1885: Deemed not insurable, indicating significant wear or risk.

  • 1887: Rated for coarse freight only, suggesting it was no longer suitable for higher-value cargoes.


The TIGER was initially owned by its builder, George Tate, and later transferred to various owners, including Holcomb & Cowan, J.H. Henderson, and the St. Lawrence & Chicago Forwarding company (Coulthurst & McPhee). When the Montreal Transportation Co. took over that firm, the TIGER became part of their fleet.


The vessel underwent repairs in 1875 and 1878, which were likely necessary to keep it operational as it aged. Despite these efforts, by 1885, the TIGER was deemed not insurable, indicating that its condition had deteriorated significantly.


FINAL DISPOSITION


In 1891, the TIGER was damaged by arson near the Cotton Mill in Kingston’s inner harbor. At the time of the incident, the Barge was described as “rotten” by the Kingston Whig, indicating its advanced state of decay. Following this damage, the TIGER was broken up, and its registration was officially removed on April 27, 1899, marking the end of its maritime career.


RESOURCES & LINKS



KEYWORDS


TIGER, River Barge, Montreal, Kingston, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Canadian Heritage, Arson


ANALYSIS


The TIGER represents a typical example of the wooden barges used during the mid to late 19th century for transporting bulk goods across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Despite its robust construction, the TIGER could not escape the inevitable wear and tear that came with decades of hard service. Its decline, as reflected in its decreasing valuation and eventual classification as suitable only for coarse freight, mirrors the fate of many such vessels of its time. The arson incident in 1891 that led to its final destruction highlights the vulnerabilities of these aging vessels and serves as a reminder of the risks they faced not just from the elements, but also from human actions.