Shipwreck Report: Steamer Brothers (Renamed St. Laurent)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Brothers (renamed St. Laurent in 1900)
• Year Built: 1880
• Official Number: 80735
• Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
• Hull Material: Wood
• Built At: St. Nicholas, Quebec
• Specifications  Length: 127 feet (38.7 metres) Beam: 25 feet (7.6 metres) Depth: 8 feet 6 inches (2.6 metres)
• Gross Tonnage: Original: 262 tons Rebuilt (1883): 367 tons Rebuilt (1900): 546 tons Rebuilt (1909): 349 tons

Service History

Construction and Early Years Launched in 1880 in St. Nicholas, Quebec, the Brothers was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer designed for transport along the St. Lawrence River. Originally built for light freight and passenger service, the vessel underwent multiple rebuilds during its career to increase its capacity and adapt to changing needs.

Ownership Timeline

• 1899: Acquired by Fortier, a Quebec-based operator.
• 1901: Purchased by the Maritime & Industrial Company, based in Levis, Quebec. The vessel was renamed St. Laurent during this time. 
• 1883: Expanded to 367 gross tons, likely improving passenger accommodations or freight capacity.
• 1900: Rebuilt to 546 gross tons, with a revised length of 126 feet, reflecting a significant structural upgrade.
• 1909: Reduced to 349 gross tons, possibly reflecting changes in usage or aging components.

Final Disposition

• Date: October 19, 1917
• Location: Cornwall Canal, St. Lawrence River
• Cause: The St. Laurent was destroyed by fire while moored.
• Details: The fire consumed the wooden Hull, leaving the vessel beyond salvage. No lives were reported lost, as the vessel was docked and unmanned at the time of the incident.

Legacy and Significance

Service on the St. Lawrence River The Brothers/St. Laurent was a vital part of the maritime network on the St. Lawrence River, facilitating the movement of passengers and goods between Quebec communities during a critical period of development.

Adaptability and Longevity Despite its wooden Hull, the vessel’s multiple rebuilds allowed it to remain in service for nearly four decades, showcasing the ingenuity of 19th-century shipbuilders and operators.

Final Location The Cornwall Canal, where the vessel burned, was a key shipping route bypassing rapids on the St. Lawrence River, highlighting the importance of infrastructure in supporting regional commerce.

Resources and Further Exploration

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Provides records on vessels operating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
• Library and Archives Canada https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca Offers documentation related to Canadian shipbuilding and the Cornwall Canal.
• Great Lakes Register A historical source documenting the enrollment and specifications of vessels like the Brothers/St. Laurent.
• Cornwall Community Museum May hold information about vessels that operated in the Cornwall Canal region and their significance to local history.

Conclusion

The Brothers, later renamed St. Laurent, was a hardworking Steamer that served the St. Lawrence River for almost 40 years. Its multiple rebuilds and long service life reflect the resilience of 19th-century maritime engineering and the adaptability required to meet changing demands. Its fiery end in 1917 marked the conclusion of an era, but the vessel remains a part of the rich maritime history of eastern Canada.