Identification & Site Information

• Name: Babineau & Gaudry

• Type: Schooner

• Built: June 1866, Three Rivers, Quebec

• Tonnage: 150 tons

• Construction: Tamarack frame and ceiling

• Owner: William Patterson, Picton

• Final Location: Near Alexandria Bay, St. Lawrence River

• Date of Incident: Late 1876

• Value at Construction: $3,000

• Original Use: Ocean-built vessel, later repurposed for coastal and Great Lakes trade

Vessel Type Description

The Babineau & Gaudry was a 150-ton wooden Schooner with a tamarack frame and ceiling, constructed in 1866 in Three Rivers, Quebec. Designed for durability, the vessel was originally ocean-built and operated between Europe and North America. Over time, it was repurposed for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River trade, carrying cargoes such as coal and wood.

History

Construction and Early Years

The Schooner Babineau & Gaudry was launched in June 1866. Initially valued at $3,000, it featured a robust tamarack frame suited for the rigours of maritime and riverine navigation. Registered in Quebec, it was well-suited for both ocean and Great Lakes trade.

Patterson’s Fraudulent Activities

By the 1870s, the vessel was owned by William Patterson of Picton. Patterson engaged in a series of fraudulent activities, including obtaining cargo under false pretenses and selling it in unauthorized locations. His actions culminated in the vessel’s financial troubles and eventual legal entanglements.

In the fall of the previous year, Patterson sold cargoes of coal without authorization, leading creditors to pursue him. These activities tarnished both his reputation and that of the Schooner.

Final Incident

In late 1876, the Babineau & Gaudry faced several misfortunes:

• Amherst Island Grounding: The Schooner was driven ashore by a gale, requiring repairs to return to service.

• Final Wreck: The vessel met its ultimate fate near Alexandria Bay in the St. Lawrence River. The circumstances of the sinking included Patterson’s financial woes and ongoing legal battles.

The Schooner was grounded while en route to Detroit with a cargo of wood. Efforts to tow it to Kingston for repairs were hampered by a lack of a completed dry dock. The vessel was seized by Deputy Marshal Taylor for an unpaid tow bill of $30.

Owner’s Legal Troubles

Patterson’s return to American soil led to his arrest in Watertown, New York, on charges brought by creditor H.W. Greene. Greene had supplied canvas sails worth over $400 the previous year. Patterson was detained as a foreign debtor and was transported to Oswego for examination. His legal and financial troubles underscored the precarious nature of his ownership and operations.

Final Disposition

The Babineau & Gaudry was ultimately lost near Alexandria Bay in late 1876. The Schooner’s grounding and financial disputes made repair and recovery unfeasible. The vessel was likely Abandoned or dismantled after its final wreck.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Current Status: The wreck of the Babineau & Gaudry is not marked by modern Notices to Mariners. It remains part of the historical maritime record of the St. Lawrence River.

Resources & Links

1. Oswego Palladium, September 30, 1876, and October 21, 1876: Detailed reports of Patterson’s arrest and the Schooner’s final days.

2. Cleveland Herald, October 6, 1876: Descriptions of the vessel’s financial and operational troubles.

3. Lake Vessel Register, 1877: Documentation of the Babineau & Gaudry’s specifications and ownership history.

4. Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical context for Great Lakes schooners.

5. Historical Collections of the Great Lakes: Archival resources for maritime records.

Conclusion

The Babineau & Gaudry’s history encapsulates the challenges of 19th-century maritime commerce, including financial mismanagement, unpredictable weather, and the legal entanglements of its owner, William Patterson. Despite its promising construction and versatility, the Schooner’s legacy is marred by misfortune and misconduct. Today, the story of the Babineau & Gaudry serves as a reminder of the precarious nature of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River navigation during that era.

Keywords

#BabineauAndGaudry #StLawrenceRiver #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #WilliamPatterson #SchoonerWreck #19thCenturyShipping #Shipwrecks #MaritimeFraud