DUNDEE C103819

DENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Dundee was a schooner, a type of vessel that was widely used throughout the Great Lakes for transporting various cargoes, including grain and other bulk goods. Schooners like the Dundee were characterized by their multiple masts, typically two or three, and were known for their agility and ability to navigate the often challenging waters of the Great Lakes. The Dundee was a three-masted schooner, a common configuration that allowed for greater cargo capacity and better handling in varying wind conditions.

HISTORY #

The Dundee was built in the late 19th century and began its service on the Great Lakes under the ownership of Alexander of St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1871. Over the years, the vessel was involved in several notable incidents, reflecting the often perilous nature of maritime trade during this period.

In June 1873, the Dundee ran aground in Port Colborne, Lake Erie, while carrying a load of grain. The vessel was eventually freed, but this incident was an early indication of the challenges it would face throughout its operational life. Further difficulties arose in February 1876, when the propeller Alma Munro collided with the Dundee after parting its moorings at Port Stanley, Ontario.

The schooner changed ownership several times, with W. R. Taylor of Kingston, Ontario, acquiring it in 1878. During this period, the vessel was registered in Montreal, Quebec, and underwent some changes, including adjustments to its dimensions, which were recorded as 125.2 feet in length, 23.6 feet in width, and 10 feet in depth, with a tonnage of 262 tons.

The Dundee faced more misfortune in November 1880 when it went ashore in Walter’s Bay, west of Kingston, Ontario. Despite these setbacks, the schooner continued to operate, serving various owners and undergoing further modifications.

In August 1908, the Dundee was involved in a significant collision with the steamer Varuna near Belleville, Ontario. The Varuna struck the Dundee, causing extensive damage to the schooner’s bow, which required an estimated $500 in repairs—a substantial amount at the time. A passenger aboard the Varuna, Mrs. R. Smith, suffered a broken leg in the incident.

Later in 1908, the Dundee sank in the Bay of Quinte, marking the beginning of its decline. The schooner was briefly transferred to new owners, J. H. & J. W. Smith, in May 1909, and later to J. B. Flint and J. W. Smith in July of the same year. However, the vessel’s operational days were numbered. By 1911, the Dundee had caught fire while in Belleville Harbor, Ontario, further damaging the already beleaguered vessel.

In 1914, the Dundee‘s registry was closed, effectively ending its official service. The vessel was eventually abandoned in the Belleville, Ontario, boneyard around 1920, where old ships were left to decay. Around 1960, the hull of the Dundeewas among several that were dredged during harbor cleanup efforts, leaving little trace of the once-proud schooner.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Dundee sank in the Bay of Quinte in 1908, following years of service and several significant incidents. By 1960, the remains of the vessel were dredged from the harbor during cleanup efforts, with much of the schooner likely scattered or buried under sediment.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The Dundee was abandoned in the Belleville boneyard around 1920 and was later dredged from the harbor around 1960 during cleanup efforts. Specific details about the initial discovery or recovery of the wreckage are not documented.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Dundee. The wreckage, if any remains, does not pose a significant navigational hazard in the Bay of Quinte.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A valuable resource for shipwrecks and maritime incidents, providing context for the Dundee and similar vessels.
• Great Lakes Maritime Database: Contains detailed records on Great Lakes vessels, including schooners like the Dundee.
• Wrecksite EU: A global database for shipwrecks, offering insights into the history and fate of the Dundee.
• Buffalo Evening News Archives: Historical newspaper archives that may provide additional details on the collision and other incidents involving the Dundee.

CONCLUSION #

The Dundee‘s storied history is marked by numerous incidents and ownership changes, reflecting the challenging conditions faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s final years were marred by collisions, fires, and eventual abandonment, but its legacy endures as part of the rich maritime history of the region.

Keywords #

Dundee schooner, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Bay of Quinte wrecks, 19th-century schooners, maritime history, Belleville Ontario shipwrecks, collision with Varuna, Great Lakes maritime incidents, shipwreck exploration, underwater archaeology