Allie (formerly Rescue) C51700

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Type Description The Allie began its life as a schooner, originally named Rescue, built in 1859 by Norton & Leland in Cleveland, Ohio. Schooners were commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the 19th century due to their efficiency in handling various wind conditions. The vessel was later converted into a scow-schooner, a variation designed with a flat bottom and shallow draft, making it particularly useful for navigating shallow waters and carrying heavy cargo like timber or stone.

  History The vessel was initially registered in Montreal, Quebec, under the name Rescue, with James Shaw listed as the owner. The Allie (formerly Rescue) had a tonnage of 74 tons, and its home port was Montreal. The vessel was valued at $1,500 when it was first built, reflecting its utility and size.

  Over time, the Allie underwent several name changes and ownership transfers:

  • Former Names: Rescue (initially) and mistakenly recorded as Mona in some documents.
  • 1869: The vessel was sold and renamed Allie, officially registering under this name.

  Discrepancies in Records #

  There are conflicting records regarding the vessel’s specifications and history:

  • According to the National Board of Lake Underwriters’ Lake Vessel Register in 1873, the Allie had a tonnage of 74 tons and was built in 1863 at Black River by S.E. Field.
  • The Association of Canadian Lake Underwriters’ Lake Vessel Register in 1869 listed the Allie with a tonnage of 120 tons, also built in Black River, and likely owned by someone named Campbell.

  These discrepancies suggest that the vessel may have undergone significant modifications or that there were errors in the recording of its details over time.

  Final Voyage and Fate #

  The Allie met its end on September 30, 1875, when it was lost near Belleville, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. The specifics of the incident, such as the cause of the loss or any potential casualties, are not well documented. The vessel’s documents were not officially surrendered until 1882, indicating a delay in the formal recognition of its loss.

  • Date of Loss: September 30, 1875
  • Location: Near Belleville, Ontario, Lake Ontario
  • Final Registration Closure: March 13, 1882 (due to being wrecked)

  NOTMARs & Advisories There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Allie, as the vessel was lost in the 19th century and the wreck site has not been extensively documented.

  Located By & Date The exact location of the Allie‘s wreck near Belleville, Ontario, has not been well-documented, and the remains of the vessel have not been recovered or marked.

  Current Condition & Accessibility Given that the Allie was lost in 1875 and its documents were surrendered in 1882, any remains of the vessel are likely in a state of considerable decay. The exact location of the wreck is unclear, and it has not been documented as an accessible site for exploration.

  Resources & Links

  • National Board of Lake Underwriters, Lake Vessel Register, 1873 [Supplement 1]
  • Register of the Ships of The Lakes and River St. Lawrence, 1864
  • Association of Canadian Lake Underwriters, Lake Vessel Register, 1869
  • N.A.C., RG-42, C-2469, VOL. 322
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Contains detailed records and descriptions of shipwrecks, potentially including the Allie.

  Keywords Allie, Rescue, schooner, scow-schooner, Lake Ontario, shipwreck, Belleville, maritime history, Great Lakes, Montreal, Black River

  Analysis The Allie (formerly Rescue) is a vessel with a complex history, marked by name changes, ownership transfers, and discrepancies in its recorded specifications. Originally built in 1859 as a schooner, the vessel later served as a scow-schooner, adapting to the changing needs of its owners and the maritime industry of the Great Lakes. The loss of the Allienear Belleville, Ontario, in 1875 is shrouded in some mystery, with limited details about the incident and its aftermath. The delayed surrender of the vessel’s documents in 1882 further complicates the historical record. Despite these uncertainties, the Allie remains a part of the broader narrative of Great Lakes shipping, reflecting the challenges and changes faced by vessels of its kind during the 19th century.