IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Duchess of York (later Sorel, Pelerin, Beloeil)

•Year of Build: 1895

•Built at: Hull (Montreal), Quebec

•Type: Sidewheel Steamer (converted to a Barge)

•Hull Materials: Steel

•Number of Decks: 1

•Dimensions:

•Length: 156.8 feet (47.8 meters)

•Beam: 25.3 feet (7.7 meters)

•Depth: 9.4 feet (2.9 meters)

•Engine: Vertical beam engine (walking beam), 34”x45”, 180 horsepower, 20 RPM

•Propulsion: Radial paddlewheels

•Final Location: (45.5053°N, 74.2197°W)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Duchess of York was a steel Sidewheel Steamer constructed for passenger service along the Ottawa River. The vessel was powered by a repurposed Walking Beam Engine from the earlier Steamship Prince of Wales and featured radial paddlewheels for propulsion. This design enabled efficient and reliable navigation in the region’s waterways, catering to passenger and light freight transport.

HISTORY

The Duchess of York began its service in 1895, operating between Montreal, Quebec, Carillon, and Point Fortune, playing a pivotal role in regional transportation and commerce. Managed by the Ottawa River Navigation Company, the vessel was a symbol of the bustling economic activity along the Ottawa River.

Key Milestones:

•1909: Acquired by the Central Railway of Canada and continued operations from Montreal and Ottawa.

•1921-1922: Upgraded with feathering wheels from the decommissioned Steamship Caspian.

•1925: Renamed Sorel after further operational adjustments.

•1927: Became Pelerin, offering excursions between Hamilton and Montreal.

•1935: Acquired by Quebec & St. Lawrence Navigation Co. Ltd. and renamed Beloeil.

Transformation:

In 1938, the vessel was Rebuilt as a Barge for pulpwood transport, marking a shift from passenger service to commercial utility. This transition reflected the declining demand for steam-powered passenger ships and the rise of industrial cargo transportation.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On February 12, 1945, the Duchess of York sank near Carillon, Quebec. Following the sinking, the vessel was removed from the registry. Its remains rest at the coordinates provided, marking the end of a multifaceted career that spanned five decades.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck. Divers and historians should approach the site with caution, given its age and historical significance.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive historical data on vessels like the Duchess of York.

•Quebec Historical Archives: Valuable for further research on the vessel’s role in regional development.

•George Brush Engine Records: For technical details of the repurposed engine.

CONCLUSION

The Duchess of York epihttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpgizes the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels, transitioning from passenger service to industrial use over its life. Its evolution through multiple names and roles underscores the changing needs of maritime industries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While the vessel met a watery end in 1945, its story remains a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the maritime community.

KEYWORDS

Duchess of York, Sorel, Pelerin, Beloeil, Sidewheel Steamer, Ottawa River, Carillon Quebec, steel shipwreck, maritime history, pulpwood Barge, 19th-century navigation.