S.M. DOUGLAS C102961

In 1897, the ship WHITE STAR was launched in Montreal. However, it was illegally renamed COLONIAL in the same year. In 1899, the Oakville Navigation Company acquired the vessel. The ship underwent several name changes over the years: CITY OF DUNKIRK in 1900, EMPIRE in 1901, and it was finally owned by W. W. Paterson of Oakville, Ontario, in 1903 after being repaired following a fire in Toronto.

In 1905, the ship underwent a rebuilding process in Cornwall, Ontario, under the ownership of Oliver Gillespie from Brockville, Ontario. It was reconstructed to measure 308 gross tons and 112 net tons, with dimensions of 158.1 feet in length, 25.3 feet in width, and 8.2 feet in depth.

Unfortunately, the ship encountered accidents during its active years. In 1906, it was struck by the steamer MUNCY in Buffalo, New York. As a result, it was removed from the Crystal Beach route and sent to Montreal in September of the same year. Ownership changed hands multiple times, with the St. Lawrence Canadian Navigation Co., Ltd., Montreal, taking ownership in 1909, followed by A. Cartier of Montreal in 1916, and Canada Steamship Lines, Ltd., in 1920.

Disaster struck again in 1926 when the ship burned in Hamilton, Ontario. It was subsequently rebuilt as a barge under the ownership of John F. Sowards in Kingston, Ontario, measuring 160 feet in length, 25.33 feet in width, and 7.42 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 224.

The ship sank in Brockville in 1942 while out of commission. However, it was later raised and rebuilt as a sand dredge in 1950, under ownership of Simpson Sand Co., Ltd., Brockville. The dredge measured 160.5 feet in length, 25.33 feet in width, and 8 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 286.

In 1974, the ship was repurposed as a breakwater for the Brockville Rowing Club. It was later towed to Kingston in 1981 for disposal. Finally, in November 1985, while being towed to deeper water, the ship, now known as DOUGLAS, began sinking and was scuttled north of Ducks.

The early history of WHITE STAR, particularly the first two years after its launch in 1897, remains unknown. The Oakville Navigation Company acquired the ship in 1899, aiming to improve steamship services for Oakville, Ontario. The vessel played a significant role in establishing regular steamship operations in the area, under the command of Capt. William Boyd and the purser W. S. Davis.

Furthermore, Hedley Shaw, who was involved in the Oakville Navigation Company, later established the Maple Leaf Milling Company, starting with a flour mill in St. Catharines. This endeavor expanded with mills in Thorold and Welland, culminating in the opening of a large mill in Port Colborne in 1911.

The history of WHITE STAR reflects its various owners, name changes, accidents, and transformations, ultimately leaving a notable legacy in the maritime industry during its active years.

2018 Photos by Matthew Charlesworth CC #

2000 Photos by Tom Rutledge CC

Historical Photos #