Ship Jam in the Snye

Something a little different today.

Wallaceburg was once a bustling port. It started back in the 1800's when lumbering was king. Sailing vessels were towed in to load lumber and other goods. Steamers came in to load goods from the local industries or unload coal. Later, corn was loaded and taken out by small ship.

Passenger vessels made Wallaceburg a popular destination as well.

Wallaceburg was once busier than the port of Toronto! This fact is documented.

Shown here is a famous jam-up in the Snye in 1922.

In the summer of 1922, the barge John J. Barlum grounded in the Chenal Ecarte near the Weiser farm south of Bluewater Conference. It was being towed by a tug, but veered too sharply and lodged itself cross-ways in the river. The Barlum was on its way to Wallaceburg loaded with sugar beets.
A local tug, Delisle was called to assist, but the Barlum remained steadfast after valiant efforts by the tugs. Shortly afterwards, the passenger vessel Rapids King outbound from Wallaceburg came upon the scene. Unable to pass in the narrow confines of the Snye, the captain of the Rapids King gently nudged the Barlum, and with the assistance of the two tugs, was able to free the barge.The Rapids King, fully loaded with passengers, continued on its way to Detroit, while the Barlum and its tug headed towards Wallaceburg