QUINTE C88242

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The Quinte, originally known as the Beauharnois, was a sidewheel steamer built in 1871 by Bushnell in Quebec City, Quebec. The vessel was powered by a vertical beam engine with a single cylinder and operated primarily on the Great Lakes. The Quinte was constructed with a wooden hull and was designed for transporting passengers and cargo across the waterways of Ontario and Quebec.

HISTORY: #

The Quinte had a notable history that spanned nearly two decades. Initially launched in 1871 as the Beauharnois, the vessel was operated by the Beauharnois Steam Navigation Co. and later by Stevenson & Co. in Quebec. In 1882, the steamer underwent a significant rebuild, during which it was renamed the Quinte. The rebuild modernized the vessel, and it was then owned by Edward W. Rathbun’s Deseronto Navigation Co., beginning on June 16, 1883.

Under Rathbun’s ownership, the Quinte became a prominent vessel in the lake service, known for its reliability and capacity. The vessel, with its single deck and updated dimensions, continued to serve the communities along the Bay of Quinte and surrounding areas.

However, the Quinte met a tragic end on October 23, 1889. While on a voyage from Deseronto to Picton, Ontario, a fire broke out onboard the vessel approximately 5 miles from Deseronto. The fire originated in the woodwork near the fire hold and quickly spread throughout the ship. Despite the crew’s efforts to control the flames, the fire proved to be unstoppable.

The pilot, Collier, managed to beach the vessel on a shoal, but in the chaos, passengers panicked and jumped into the water, many without life preservers. Collier remained at the wheel until the ship grounded, while engineer Thomas Short was forced to abandon the engines due to the advancing flames. Both men suffered severe burns in the process.

Nearby, a sloop launched boats to rescue the survivors, but not all could be saved. Four individuals tragically lost their lives in the fire, and several others sustained injuries, including burns and bruises. The Quinte was declared a total loss, and the vessel’s registry was subsequently closed.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

The Quinte was completely destroyed by fire on October 23, 1889, during a voyage on the Bay of Quinte. The wreck was burned to the waterline, and the vessel was abandoned at the site. The tragic event resulted in the loss of four lives and left a lasting impact on the community of Deseronto, Ontario.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) directly related to the Quinte wreck site. However, caution is advised when navigating or diving in the Bay of Quinte, as the area may still have remnants of the wreck.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

The location of the Quinte wreck was documented immediately following its destruction in 1889. The wreck site is near N44° 10.35′ W77° 02.30′, where it remains as a part of the area’s maritime history.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database: Detailed information on shipwrecks and vessel histories in the Great Lakes region.
• Historical Newspapers: Archival reports detailing the fire and the vessel’s final moments.

KEYWORDS: #

Quinte, Beauharnois, Sidewheeler, Steamboat, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Bay of Quinte, 1889 Fire, Canadian Maritime History.

ANALYSIS: #

The Quinte‘s tragic loss in 1889 underscores the dangers faced by steamboats operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. The vessel, once a proud member of the Rathbun Company’s fleet, was consumed by a devastating fire that claimed four lives. The Quinte‘s story is a stark reminder of the perils of early steam navigation and the bravery of those who worked to save the vessel and its passengers. The wreck remains an important historical site in the Bay of Quinte, representing a significant chapter in Ontario’s maritime history.