Stebbens Andrews & Son, Port Dalhousie, Ontario

Stebbens Andrews & Son was a prominent shipbuilding firm based in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, during the mid-to-late 19th century. Port Dalhousie, situated at the northern terminus of the Welland Canal on Lake Ontario, was a key shipbuilding hub, thanks to its strategic location connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The canal facilitated the movement of goods and vessels, making the region a critical center for maritime commerce and industry.

Port Dalhousie as a Shipbuilding Hub

In the 19th century, Port Dalhousie became an important maritime town due to its role in the Welland Canal system, which allowed ships to bypass Niagara Falls and efficiently transport goods between Lakes Erie and Ontario. This made the area ideal for ship construction and repair. The local shipyards, including Stebbens Andrews & Son, benefited from the region’s access to raw materials, skilled labor, and bustling shipping traffic.

Shipbuilding Legacy of Stebbens Andrews & Son

While detailed records of all the vessels built by Stebbens Andrews & Son are limited, the company is noted for constructing wooden steambarges and other vessels designed for Great Lakes commerce.

Notable Vessels associated

• Dromedary was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer, built in 1868 by Andrews & Son at Port Dalhousie, Ontario. Measuring 120 feet in length and 255 gross tons, she was designed to transport package freight—smaller cargo shipments that required quick and efficient transport between ports
• Kincardine, a wooden steambarge built in 1871. Measuring 107 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 343, the Kincardine served for over 20 years on the Great Lakes. It underwent numerous rebuilds and ownership changes throughout its operational life and was involved in several incidents before its final loss in 1892 when it stranded and broke up at Cabot Head on Georgian Bay.
• Lake Ontario was built in 1873 in St. Catharines, Ontario, as a package freighter, designed for cargo and passenger transport across the Great Lakes. She was one of three sister ships, including LAKE ERIE and LAKE MICHIGAN. Over her 17-year career, she underwent several ownership changes, groundings, and repairs, eventually being rebuilt as a steambarge in Buffalo, New York, in 1889 and renamed CHARLES C. RYAN.

The Kincardine reflects the type of durable, multipurpose vessels built by Stebbens Andrews & Son, which were essential for the transport of lumber, coal, iron ore, and other bulk materials during a period of rapid industrialization in the Great Lakes region.

Craftsmanship and Innovation

Shipbuilders like Stebbens Andrews & Son were known for their craftsmanship and ability to adapt to the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping. The company specialized in constructing wooden-hulled vessels, often reinforcing them with iron bracing to improve their durability in the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.

As the 19th century progressed, the shift from wooden to steel-hulled ships and the rise of larger shipyards in cities like Buffalo, Cleveland, and Detroit eventually led to a decline in smaller regional shipbuilders, including those in Port Dalhousie.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Though Stebbens Andrews & Son may not be as widely recognized as some of the larger Great Lakes shipbuilders, their contributions to the maritime history of Ontario and the Great Lakes are significant. The vessels they built, like the Kincardine, played critical roles in supporting the regional economy, facilitating the transportation of goods essential for the development of communities along the lakes.

Today, Port Dalhousie retains its maritime heritage, with remnants of the Welland Canal and local shipbuilding history preserved in museums and historical sites.

Conclusion

Stebbens Andrews & Son exemplified the regional shipbuilding expertise that fueled the growth of commerce on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Their work contributed to the robust maritime infrastructure that connected the industrial centers of the United States and Canada, supporting the economic development of both nations. While the company’s legacy may be somewhat obscured by time, vessels like the Kincardine stand as a testament to their role in shaping the history of Great Lakes shipping.