Identification & Site Information

•Name: Dauntless

•Type: Towboat

•Year Built: 1871

•Built At: Point Levi, Quebec

•Official Number: 64967

•Propulsion: Screw

•Dimensions:

•Length: 82 feet (25 meters)

•Beam: 18 feet (5.5 meters)

•Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 81 tons

Vessel Type Description

The Dauntless was a wooden screw-propelled Towboat constructed at Point Levi, Quebec, in 1871. Measuring 82 feet in length and 18 feet in beam, the vessel was relatively small but well-suited for towing operations. Its primary role was to assist with the movement of larger vessels and goods, primarily operating below Montreal in the St. Lawrence River region.

History

The Dauntless had a varied career, serving multiple owners over its lifetime:

1.1877-1886: Owned by M. Macnamara of Quebec.

2.1895: Owned by W. Shaw, also of Quebec.

3.1901: Acquired by the Canadian Forwarding & Export Co. of Montreal, reflecting its continued utility in commercial operations.

Notable Incidents

•August 11, 1879: A boiler explosion in Montreal resulted in one fatality, marking a significant event in the vessel’s operational history.

•November 13, 1886: The vessel suffered damage in a collision near Crane Island in the St. Lawrence River, though it was repaired and returned to service.

Final Disposition

The Dauntless met its end on April 29, 1905, when it wrecked off Oswego, New York, during a storm. The vessel was destroyed after breaking up in the severe weather. Salvage operations were delayed as the wrecking crew awaited calmer seas. Ultimately, the ship was declared a Total Loss, marking the end of its decades-long service.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently associated with the Dauntless wreck site. The precise location of the wreck has not been documented in recent times.

Resources & Links

•C. Patrick Labadie, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library: Historical records of Great Lakes vessels.

•Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley: Insights into the Steamboat industry and operations.

•Great Lakes Ships Website: Comprehensive details on Great Lakes vessels, including the Dauntless.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Historical accounts and detailed narratives.

•Marine Museum of the Great Lakes Mills List: Archival resources.

•Great Lakes Register (1905, 1900): Official records of Great Lakes vessels.

•Duluth News Tribune (November 30, 1901): Period news coverage.

Keywords

Dauntless, Towboat, St. Lawrence River, Boiler Explosion, Oswego New York, Great Lakes Maritime History, Crane Island, Canadian Forwarding & Export Co., Steamboat Era.

Conclusion

The Dauntless exemplifies the hardworking towboats that played a critical role in facilitating commerce and navigation along the St. Lawrence River and beyond. Despite its small size, the vessel’s nearly 35-year career highlights its resilience and importance to the shipping industry. Its final wreck in 1905, compounded by earlier incidents such as the 1879 boiler explosion and 1886 collision, underscores the inherent risks of maritime operations during this period. The Dauntless remains a testament to the engineering and challenges of the late 19th and early 20th centuries on the Great Lakes.