CITY OF BELLEVILLE: A Testament to Regional Maritime Heritage

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: City of Belleville

•Vessel Type: Propeller Steamship

•Year Built: 1878

•Builder: L. Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario

•Engine: High-pressure screw engine, 50 horsepower

•Engine Manufacturer: G.N. Oille, St. Catharines, Ontario

•Specifications: Single cylinder, 16 in. x 16 in.

•Dimensions:

•Length: 27.2 meters (89.4 feet)

•Beam: 4.7 meters (15.4 feet)

•Depth: 2.1 meters (7 feet)

•Gross Tonnage: 101.17 tons

•Net Tonnage: 68.8 tons

•Owners: Bogart, McIntosh & Leavens, Belleville, Ontario

•Last Registered Port: Belleville, Ontario

•Wreck Location: Prescott, Ontario, St. Lawrence River

•Depth: N/A (destroyed by fire on surface)

•Current Condition: Total Loss due to fire; no remains located

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Belleville was a wooden-hulled propeller vessel, emblematic of late 19th-century shipbuilding on the Great Lakes. Designed for mixed-use operations, it served as both a passenger and freight carrier. Propeller vessels like the City of Belleville were pivotal during the era, connecting communities across the Great Lakes and providing vital support for regional trade and transportation.

HISTORY

Construction and Specifications

Built in 1878 by renowned shipbuilder L. Shickluna, the City of Belleville embodied the craftsmanship of its time. Its two-Deck design maximized space for passengers and cargo, while its powerful high-pressure screw engine enabled it to navigate the often challenging waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

The vessel’s moderate size and 50-horsepower engine made it well-suited for regional routes. Its compact yet robust design facilitated efficient transportation of goods and passengers, particularly along the Collingwood and Parry Sound route.

Operational History

The City of Belleville served the bustling maritime trade routes of the Great Lakes, primarily focusing on Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. It played a crucial role in the economic and social life of the region, supporting local industries and communities. Over its decades of service, the vessel became a reliable workhorse for its owners and the towns it connected.

FINAL INCIDENT: FIRE OF 1914

On February 17, 1914, tragedy struck the City of Belleville while it was docked at Prescott, Ontario, on the St. Lawrence River. A devastating fire broke out, consuming the wooden vessel and reducing it to ashes. Despite the ship’s sturdy construction, its wooden Hull and superstructure were no match for the flames.

•Cause: The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined.

•Casualties: Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

•Aftermath: The ship was declared a Total Loss, marking the end of its operational history.

The fire’s destruction was a significant blow to the owners and the communities that depended on the vessel. However, the resilience of the region’s maritime trade ensured that the loss of the City of Belleville was absorbed into the larger story of Great Lakes commerce.

LEGACY

The City of Belleville is remembered as a symbol of regional connectivity and economic vitality during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While its untimely destruction cut short its service, the vessel remains a part of the rich maritime history of Ontario and the Great Lakes.

The story of the City of Belleville highlights the challenges of wooden-hulled ships, particularly their vulnerability to fire—a common hazard for vessels of that era. Its legacy endures through historical records and the memories of the communities it served.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the wreck of the City of Belleville.

•Mariners navigating the St. Lawrence River should exercise caution, particularly in historical wreck zones, due to potential underwater hazards.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of Great Lakes vessels.

•St. Catharines Historical Society: Archives on shipbuilding and L. Shickluna’s contributions.

•Prescott, Ontario Historical Archives: Local accounts of the fire and the vessel’s final days.

CONCLUSION

The City of Belleville exemplified the hardworking vessels that supported the development and prosperity of Great Lakes communities. From its construction in 1878 to its fiery demise in 1914, the ship played a vital role in connecting towns and facilitating trade. While its loss was tragic, the vessel’s memory endures, serving as a reminder of the importance of maritime infrastructure in shaping regional history.

Keywords: City of Belleville, Great Lakes shipwreck, St. Catharines shipbuilding, Prescott Ontario, 19th-century wooden ships, maritime history, fire on ships.