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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Perseverance

•Type: Canal Vessel

•Tonnage: 60 tons

•Year Built: Not specified

•Builder: Not specified

•Construction: Presumed wooden Hull, typical of 19th-century vessels

•Dimensions: Not documented

•Primary Route: Buffalo, New York, to Port Robinson, Ontario (Upper Welland Canal)

•Master: Captain Sam Vary

•Final Disposition: Not documented; historical records focus on its role in Welland Canal trade.

•Significance: A vital transport link between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario via the Welland Canal.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Perseverance was a modest-sized canal vessel, typical of those used during the 19th century for navigating the narrow and challenging waterways of the Welland Canal. Vessels like the Perseverance were designed to handle the unique demands of canal transport, including swift currents, shallow depths, and tight locks. Its wooden Hull and manageable size (60 tons) made it well-suited for the conditions of the Welland Canal and for navigating between Buffalo, NY, and Port Robinson, Ontario.

HISTORY

The Perseverance played a crucial role in facilitating transportation and trade between Lake Erie and Lake Ontario during a period when the Welland Canal was an essential infrastructure link in the Great Lakes system. This canal allowed ships to bypass the otherwise insurmountable Niagara Falls, opening up new opportunities for commerce and passenger transport.

Commanded by Captain Sam Vary, the vessel regularly traveled between Buffalo, New York, and Port Robinson, Ontario, helping to sustain a critical trade route that connected the bustling ports on the Great Lakes.

The Welland Canal was known for its challenges, including swift currents in certain areas and narrow passages that required skillful navigation. The Perseverance, with its small size and adaptability, proved to be a dependable vessel for this route. Its service highlights the ingenuity and determination of those who operated in this vital waterway.

While the final fate of the Perseverance remains undocumented, it serves as a representative of the many small but significant vessels that supported the economic growth of the Great Lakes region in the 19th century.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ultimate fate of the Perseverance is not recorded in available historical records. It likely served until it was retired or replaced by larger, more modern vessels capable of handling increased cargo demands as the canal system evolved.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No specific notices to mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories are related to the Perseverance. Its operational history and significance are tied to its role in historical transportation rather than as a navigational hazard.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: A resource for researching Great Lakes shipwrecks and maritime history.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Offers detailed records of vessels and narratives tied to Great Lakes maritime activity.

CONCLUSION

The Perseverance exemplifies the adaptability and resilience of canal vessels that served on the Welland Canal during the 19th century. Under the command of Captain Sam Vary, it contributed to the thriving trade between Buffalo and Port Robinson, overcoming the challenges posed by the canal’s currents and narrow locks. While its exact fate remains unknown, its legacy as a vital transport link in the Great Lakes region endures in historical records and maritime lore.

KEYWORDS

Perseverance, Welland Canal, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, 19th Century Transport, Buffalo NY, Port Robinson Ontario, Canal Vessels, Great Lakes Maritime History.