Shipwreck Report: Propeller PERSEVERANCE

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• • Name: PERSEVERANCE
• • Type: Wooden-hulled Propeller Freighter
• • Built: 1864, Saint Catharines, Ontario
• • Builder: Louis Shickluna
• • Dimensions:
• • Length: 177 feet
• • Beam: 31 feet
• • Depth: 12 feet
• • Gross Tonnage: 632
• • Capacity: 750 tons
• • Engine: single-cylinder steam engine (530 horsepower) by John Gartshore, Dundas, Ontario
• • Boilers: Two boilers, each 26 feet by 8 feet, containing 100 flues
• • Operational Area: Lake Ontario, primarily between Saint Catharines, Ontario, and Oswego, New York
• • Final Location: Near Pultneyville, New York

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The PERSEVERANCE was a wooden-hulled propeller freighter built for the grain trade on Lake Ontario. It was part of the Welland Railway Line and played a key role in transporting agricultural goods, particularly grain, between Ontario and New York ports. The vessel featured two decks and was powered by a robust single-cylinder steam engine coupled with a single propeller. Its large cargo capacity of over 20,000 bushels of grain underscored its importance in regional commerce.

HISTORY

• Purpose:

The PERSEVERANCE primarily transported grain and other bulk goods, serving the bustling trade routes of Lake Ontario.

• Notable Voyages:

Frequently voyaged between Saint Catharines, Ontario, and Oswego, New York, carrying goods essential to the region’s economy.

FINAL VOYAGE & DISASTER

• Date of Incident: October 6, 1868

• Cargo: 20,147 bushels of corn

• Circumstances:

While underway near Pultneyville, New York, the PERSEVERANCE caught fire. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the vessel. Despite efforts to save the ship and crew, the flames proved overwhelming.

• Outcome:

• Fatalities: 14 crew members, including Captain John FitzGibbons

• Survivors: 5 crew members rescued by the sister ship ENTERPRISE

• Damage: The vessel burned to the waterline and was declared a Total Loss.

• Cause: The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

SIGNIFICANCE

The loss of the PERSEVERANCE marked a significant tragedy in Lake Ontario’s maritime history. The high number of fatalities, coupled with the loss of valuable cargo, underscored the dangers faced by early steam-powered vessels. The disaster highlighted the importance of safety measures for steamships, which were prone to fires due to their wooden construction and coal-fired boilers.

CURRENT CONDITION

The remains of the PERSEVERANCE have not been officially located. Given that the vessel burned to the waterline, it is unlikely that substantial wreckage remains intact. The site, near Pultneyville, New York, is of historical interest for maritime archaeologists and historians.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks.

• St. Catharines Constitutional Archives: Historical records of the vessel’s construction and service.

• Daily Journal (St. Catharines, ON): October 7, 1868 issue detailing the fire and rescue efforts.

• Statement of Wreck & Casualty (Dept. of Marine & Fisheries, 1870): Official documentation of the incident.

The PERSEVERANCE serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by early freighters on the Great Lakes and the bravery of the sailors who navigated these perilous waters.