Stuart H. Dunn #
The Stuart H. Dunn was a significant vessel with a rich history that began in the late 19th century on Lake Ontario. Originally built as a schooner and later converted into a barge, the Stuart H. Dunn is notable for its service in the timber trade and later in the coal industry. The vessel’s long service life, multiple rebuilds, and eventual scuttling serve as a testament to the durability and adaptability of wooden ships during the height of Great Lakes commerce.
Origins and Early Years #
The Stuart H. Dunn was built in 1877 as the W. R. Taylor, named after her original owner, W. R. Taylor, a figure involved in the timber trade. The ship was constructed near Mill Village at South Bay in Prince Edward County, Ontario. It was one of the largest Canadian lake schooners, measuring 164.8 feet in length, 26.8 feet in beam, and 12.7 feet in depth after an 1889 rebuild. Notably, it featured two centerboards, a rarity for schooners, which helped with stability during cargo loading and unloading. Her Gross Tonnage was registered at 458 tons, and her official number was C.72964.
Initially used for timber droghing—the practice of transporting squared oak timbers—the W. R. Taylor ran cargo between Toledo, Ohio, and Garden Island near Kingston, Ontario. Garden Island served as a timber hub where cargo was formed into rafts for further transport down the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City.
Reconstruction and Rechristening #
In 1888, the W. R. Taylor ran ashore but was salvaged and taken to Port Robinson on the Welland Canal. There, in 1889, the vessel was rebuilt and enlarged. During the reconstruction, the ship was renamed Stuart H. Dunn, honoring a member of the Dunn and Company firm, which had acquired the vessel. The rechristened Stuart H. Dunn was an imposing schooner, boasting thirteen sails, including four jibs, a square fore topsail, and a combination of gaff topsails, raffees, and standard sails. It was a formidable sight on Lake Ontario, its stern adorned with the Masonic emblem.
Coal Trade and Barge Conversion #
As the timber trade declined, the Stuart H. Dunn was sold to the Conger Coal Company in the early 1900s, where it was used to transport anthracite coal. For many years, the vessel was a familiar sight on the Toronto waterfront, often docked at the Toronto Electric Company wharf. By 1910, sailing ships had become less economical, and the Stuart H. Dunn was converted into a coal barge, losing its rigging and becoming dependent on tugboats for movement.
During this period, it was often towed by the Joseph L. Russell, a steam tug that had previously been a passenger steamer. In this new role, the Stuart H. Dunn continued serving for several years, primarily in the Lake Ontario coal trade.
Later Years and Final Demise #
By the early 1920s, the Stuart H. Dunn was showing signs of age after decades of hard service. In 1920, the ship foundered at the Port Dalhousie piers while en route to Lake Erie, but it was salvaged and returned to service. However, by 1924 or 1925, the vessel was retired and laid to rest in a boneyard on the Toronto waterfront. It shared space with several other decrepit ships, including the John Rolph, Sophia Minch, D. P. Dobbins, and other vessels.
In 1926, as part of Toronto’s waterfront redevelopment, the hull of the Stuart H. Dunn was pumped out and towed to a marshy inlet near Whitby, Ontario, where it was left to rot. Eventually, the remains were removed and scuttled in Lake Ontario, marking the end of the vessel’s long and varied career.
Legacy #
The Stuart H. Dunn is remembered as a relic of the bygone era of Great Lakes schooners, which played a vital role in the transportation of timber and coal. Despite being a sailing vessel built long after the advent of steam power, it continued to serve its owners through adaptability and resilience. Its conversion to a coal barge underscores the practical realities of commerce on the Great Lakes during the early 20th century, when sail power was gradually replaced by steam and motorized vessels.
Key Events in the Life of Stuart H. Dunn: #
- 1877: Built as W. R. Taylor in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
- 1888: Ran ashore, salvaged, and taken to Port Robinson for reconstruction.
- 1889: Rebuilt, enlarged, and renamed Stuart H. Dunn.
- 1890s: Transported squared oak timbers from Toledo to Garden Island.
- Early 1900s: Sold to Conger Coal Company and used for transporting coal.
- 1910: Converted into a coal barge.
- 1920: Foundered at Port Dalhousie, salvaged and returned to service.
- 1924-1925: Retired and laid in a Toronto boneyard.
- 1926: Towed to Whitby, then scuttled in Lake Ontario.
The Stuart H. Dunn‘s journey from a grand three-masted schooner to a humble coal barge reflects the changing dynamics of shipping on the Great Lakes. Its final resting place at the bottom of Lake Ontario serves as a reminder of the many vessels that served with distinction before being overtaken by the tides of history.
