Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Weldon

•Year Built: 1919

•Built At: Aylmer, Quebec

•Type: Screw-Propelled Vessel

•Hull Materials: Wood

•Number of Decks: 1

•Original Owner: Chats Falls Navigation Co.

•Dimensions:

•Length: 88 feet (26.8 meters)

•Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters)

•Depth: 7 feet (2.1 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 107 tons

Vessel Type Description

The Weldon was a wooden, Screw-Propelled Vessel designed to serve the transportation needs of the Lake Deschenes region in Quebec, Canada. Compact yet sturdy, the vessel was vital for connecting communities and facilitating commerce. The single-Deck design and Screw Propulsion made the Weldon an efficient and reliable vessel for ferrying both goods and passengers across the Ottawa River and its tributaries.

History

•Ownership and Service:

Owned by the Chats Falls Navigation Co., the Weldon was a key part of the company’s operations, linking towns and villages along the Ottawa River. At a time when waterways were the lifeblood of regional commerce, the Weldon ensured the timely movement of people and cargo, supporting the economic vitality of the area.

•Role in Local Economy:

The vessel played a significant role in maintaining connections between the communities surrounding Lake Deschenes. It was especially crucial in an era when road infrastructure was limited and waterways provided the most efficient means of transportation.

Final Disposition

•Incident:

The Weldon met a tragic end when it caught fire while operating on Lake Deschenes.

•Outcome:

The fire completely destroyed the vessel. While the exact date and cause of the fire remain unknown, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels, particularly their susceptibility to catastrophic fires.

•Impact:

The loss of the Weldon marked a significant disruption to the transportation network it supported. The vessel’s demise highlights the risks inherent in early 20th-century maritime operations, where fire was a common and devastating hazard.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) have been issued regarding the wreck of the Weldon.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Detailed historical accounts of vessels operating in and around the Great Lakes region.

•Chats Falls Navigation Co. Archives:

For in-depth research on the company’s fleet and operations in the Lake Deschenes region.

Analysis

The story of the Weldon is a poignant reminder of the essential role smaller vessels played in regional commerce and transportation during the early 20th century. Despite its modest size, the vessel was a cornerstone of the economic and social fabric of the communities it served. Its fiery demise illustrates the challenges and risks faced by wooden vessels in a time when fire safety and emergency response were limited.

Keywords

Weldon, Screw-Propelled Vessel, Aylmer Quebec, Chats Falls Navigation Co., Lake Deschenes, Ottawa River, wooden shipwreck, 20th-century maritime history.

Conclusion

The Weldon’s contribution to the Lake Deschenes region and the Ottawa River’s transportation history cannot be understated. Though its service ended prematurely, the vessel exemplified the ingenuity and utility of early 20th-century wooden screw-propelled ships. Its legacy lives on as part of Quebec’s rich maritime heritage, serving as a reminder of the pivotal role waterways played in shaping the region’s communities and economies.