IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name: Isleway

Type: Steam Yacht

Year Built: 1904

Builder: Davis & Sons, Kingston, Ontario

Registered: Montreal, Quebec

Dimensions:

•Length: 52 feet (15.8 meters)

•Beam: 11 feet (3.4 meters)

•Depth: 4 feet (1.2 meters)

Tonnage: 14 gross tons

Propulsion: Screw

Engine: 5-11×7, built by Davis Drydock Co.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Isleway was a luxurious steam yacht constructed for recreational use, catering specifically to the Isleway Fish and Game Club of Montreal. Its design and construction reflected the elegance and leisure-focused lifestyle of early 20th-century yacht owners. Powered by a Screw Propulsion system and equipped with an engine crafted by Davis Drydock Co., the yacht embodied the sophistication and functionality of its era.

HISTORY

Commissioned in 1904 by the Isleway Fish and Game Club, the Isleway was launched in Kingston, Ontario. This vessel was intended to provide club members with a premium recreational experience, featuring ample space for leisure activities and reliable engineering for cruising. Following its trial trip in Kingston, the yacht was transported to Montreal, where it became the centerpiece of the club’s maritime excursions.

The Isleway’s 52-foot length and 14-ton Gross Tonnage allowed for comfortable navigation on the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. Its engine provided efficient propulsion, making it a capable vessel for both leisurely and functional use.

Incidents and Repairs

The Isleway’s service was marred by a series of unfortunate incidents, including multiple fires that compromised its structure. The first notable fire required significant repairs at Davis’ dry dock, where the yacht was restored during the winter season. Despite these efforts, the yacht’s history ended abruptly when it was destroyed by fire near Pembroke, Ontario.

The exact date of this final incident is not definitively recorded, but records indicate that the yacht was in service until at least 1911.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Isleway met its demise due to a fire near Pembroke, Ontario. Despite prior repairs, the vessel ultimately could not escape its fiery fate, bringing its service life to a tragic end. No wreckage was submerged or preserved, leaving little tangible evidence of the yacht’s existence aside from historical records.

LOCATED BY & DATE

•Location: Near Pembroke, Ontario

•Discovery Date: Not applicable, as the yacht was destroyed by fire and not located as a wreck.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Obstructions: None noted.

•Marking: The site of the fire is not marked on navigational charts.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Explore Historical Records

•Great Lakes Ships: Historical Data on Vessels

•Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Conservation Efforts

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Database

•Library and Archives Canada: Maritime Heritage

CONCLUSION

The Isleway was a symbol of early 20th-century leisure, representing a bygone era of recreational yachting on the Great Lakes. Despite its purpose as a luxury vessel, its history was marred by repeated fires, leading to its untimely destruction near Pembroke, Ontario. The Isleway’s story highlights the unpredictable dangers faced by even the most carefully crafted vessels of its time, making it a poignant chapter in the maritime history of Ontario.

Keywords: Isleway, Steam Yacht, Kingston Ontario, Pembroke Ontario, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Maritime history, Isleway Fish and Game Club.