INCIDENT SUMMARY: COLLISION OF Steamer HERO AND Steamer QUINTE

Date of Incident: Not specified

Location: Near Kingston, Ontario (Coordinates: 43°56’29.0”N 76°50’43.0”W)

Vessels Involved:

1.Steamer Hero

2.Steamer Quinte

Outcome: Collision causing damage to the Quinte; passengers transferred to the Hero; no injuries reported.

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION

On a Thursday morning, as reported by the Gananoque Reporter, a collision occurred between the Steamer Hero and the Steamer Quintenear Kingston, Ontario. The collision was attributed to the Quinte’s officers, who attempted to cross the bow of the Hero in an effort to dock first. This maneuver resulted in the Hero puncturing a hole in the Quinte’s side.

The Quinte was carrying approximately 200 excursionists bound for Kingston. Despite the damage, there were no injuries. Passengers were promptly transferred to the Hero, allowing them to continue their journey with minimal disruption.

VESSEL BACKGROUNDS

Steamer Aletha (formerly Quinte)

•Build Date: 1901

•Built By: Davis Dry Dock Co., Kingston, Ontario, Canada

•Specifications:

•Length: 107.40 feet (32.7 meters)

•Beam: 19.70 feet (6.0 meters)

•Depth: 5.50 feet (1.7 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 171 tons

•Propulsion: Steam screw engine, 25 horsepower

•Construction: Wooden Hull, carvel type with a round Stern

Historical Notes:

The Aletha was first registered in Kingston in 1901 and later acquired by the Quinte Navigation Co. in 1909. It served as a passenger vessel in the St. Lawrence River and Bay of Quinte, and briefly as a Ferry during World War I. The vessel underwent a renovation in 1902, adding staterooms and electric lighting, before being laid up in 1916 and broken up in 1919.

Steamer Hero

•Build Date: 1878

•Built By: Beauchemin & Fils, Sorel, Quebec, Canada

•Specifications:

•Length: 126.50 feet (38.5 meters)

•Beam: 29.40 feet (9.0 meters)

•Depth: 6.80 feet (2.1 meters)

•Propulsion: Paddlewheels, low-pressure engine, 60 horsepower

•Construction: Wooden Hull, carvel type with a round Stern

Historical Notes:

The Hero, a Paddlewheel Steamer, was known for its speed and reliability in passenger and cargo transport. It was first registered in Kingston in 1884. The vessel was destroyed by fire in 1901, marking the end of its service.

SITE ORIENTATION AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The collision occurred near the coordinates 43°56’29.0”N 76°50’43.0”W, close to Kingston, Ontario. This area was a hub of maritime activity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The competitive nature of maritime operations during this period is evident in the actions of the Quinte’s officers, whose attempt to dock ahead of the Hero led to the accident. Despite the incident, the swift response ensured that passengers could safely continue their journey aboard the Hero.

ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION

•The Aletha (Quinte) had a diverse operational history, serving as a passenger vessel and Ferry before being decommissioned and broken up in 1919.

•The Hero was emblematic of the Paddlewheel steamers of its era, known for their role in regional transport and economic development. Despite its destruction by fire in 1901, the Hero remains an important part of Canadian maritime history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Library and Archives Canada

•Wrecksite EU

•Great Lakes Maritime Database

CONCLUSION

The collision between the Hero and the Quinte underscores the dynamic and occasionally hazardous nature of Great Lakes maritime operations in the late 19th century. While the incident caused significant damage to the Quinte, the absence of injuries and the quick resolution highlight the resilience and adaptability of the crews involved. Both vessels, with their storied histories, remain integral to the legacy of Canadian maritime heritage.

TAGS

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #MaritimeHistory #LakeOntario #SteamerHero #SteamerQuinte #19thCenturyShipping #KingstonOntario