Ogdensburg Transportation Company

Ogdensburg Transportation Company

The Ogdensburg Transportation Company, closely associated with the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad (O&LC), played a pivotal role in maritime transport on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Based in Ogdensburg, New York, the company was strategically positioned to link Great Lakes shipping routes with eastward rail transport, serving as a crucial hub for both inbound and outbound freight.

Company Origins and Purpose

The Ogdensburg Transportation Company was established to support the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad’s logistics network. Located on the eastern shores of Lake Ontario, Ogdensburg was well-situated to handle shipping traffic from the western Great Lakes regions, allowing grain and bulk goods to flow eastward and manufactured goods, coal, and building materials to flow westward. This model provided an efficient system for moving products to and from the Northeastern United States and beyond.

The transportation company’s fleet was developed specifically to handle bulk freight, primarily western grain shipments destined for export or rail transfer to larger cities along the Eastern Seaboard. The company also supported the regional economy by facilitating trade in commodities such as timber, coal, and stone.

Fleet and Notable Vessels

The Ogdensburg Transportation Company operated a fleet that included some of the prominent vessels of the time, such as:

• A. McVittie: A wooden steam barge originally constructed as a package freighter and later converted to a bulk carrier, specializing in grain and coal transport.
• Hamilton Mills was a three-masted wooden schooner, designed for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size were commonly used for hauling heavy commodities such as coal, grain, and lumber. Launched in 1881 from Buffalo, New York, the Hamilton Mills was a large, single-deck schooner with robust construction typical of Great Lakes freighters of the late 19th century. Her three-mast configuration and considerable cargo capacity made her a valuable asset in the regional bulk freight trade.
• William A. Haskell: Later renamed Joyland under Montreal Transportation Co., it served similar purposes in bulk freight.
• William J. Averell: Renamed Oatland under Montreal Transportation Co., it too was dedicated to bulk cargo transport.

These vessels were designed or modified to endure the rigorous conditions of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. The fleet’s ability to transport significant loads of bulk goods across the lakes to Ogdensburg was essential to its economic strategy, making the company a key link in the regional logistics chain.

Expansion and Shifts in Ownership

As the company’s influence grew, the Ogdensburg Transportation Company became a strategic asset, eventually leading to a change in ownership. In 1899, the Rutland Transit Company acquired it, coinciding with the Central Vermont Railroad’s control of the Rutland Railroad. This transition brought about a joint ownership arrangement between Rutland Transit and the Ogdensburg Coal and Towing Company from 1905 to 1915, further cementing Ogdensburg’s position as a transportation nexus.

During this period, the vessels were modified to meet the demands of the harsh Great Lakes environment. For example, A. McVittie was outfitted with steel arches and steel plating on the bow, allowing it to break through icy conditions and operate longer in the season.

The Impact of the Panama Canal Act

In 1915, the American Panama Canal Act mandated that railroad companies divest from owning maritime assets, which compelled the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad to relinquish control of its lake fleet. As a result, ownership of vessels like A. McVittie transferred to private entities, including John Hannan of Ogdensburg Coal & Towing and later W. McDougald of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Montreal Transportation Co.

Decline and Legacy

The company’s decline began after these divestitures, marking the end of an era for the Ogdensburg Transportation Company’s fleet as rail transport took precedence over water routes for freight in certain regions. However, the legacy of the Ogdensburg Transportation Company remains significant. The company exemplified the interdependence of rail and lake transport systems during the Great Lakes’ busiest years, helping shape the infrastructure and economy of the region.

The remnants of its vessels, like the A. McVittie and William A. Haskell, as well as records from the Ogdensburg & Lake Champlain Railroad, serve as historical artifacts, offering insight into the challenges and achievements of Great Lakes shipping in the 19th and early 20th centuries.