DALHOUSIE (1869)

4 min read

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: Dalhousie
Official Number: Not documented
Type: Wooden propeller-driven vessel
Tonnage: Gross – 353 tons, Net – 286 tons (increased to 256 tons in 1871)
Length: 144 feet (43.9 meters)
Beam: 26.2 feet (8.0 meters)
Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)
Construction: Built in 1869 by Louis Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario
Owner: Welland Railway Company
Location of Wreck: Approximately two miles off Charlotte, New York, in Lake Ontario
Depth of Wreck: Not documented; vessel sank after being consumed by fire
GPS Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical records; specific coordinates are not provided
Date of Wreck: September 26, 1872

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The Dalhousie was a wooden propeller-driven vessel, built by the renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1869. The vessel was constructed for the Welland Railway Company and was designed to serve both passenger and cargo transportation needs on the Great Lakes. The Dalhousie measured 144 feet in length, with a beam of 26.2 feet and a depth of 11 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 353 tons and a net tonnage of 286 tons, which was later increased to 256 tons in 1871 due to modifications or re-measurement. Powered by a 60-horsepower engine, the Dalhousie was a robust vessel, well-suited for its role in connecting various ports on Lake Ontario.

HISTORY #

The Dalhousie was launched in May 1869 and began its service primarily between Port Dalhousie, Ontario, and Oswego, New York. Throughout its career, the vessel was involved in both passenger transport and cargo operations. In November 1868, before its official launch, the Dalhousie encountered trouble when it struck rocks on Long Sault Rapids, a dangerous stretch of water known for its strong currents and submerged hazards.

By 1870, the Dalhousie was being used to transport salt between Kingston, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec, further cementing its role as a critical link in the Great Lakes transportation network. The vessel’s net tonnage was increased to 256 tons by 1871, likely due to modifications that enhanced its cargo capacity.

Tragically, the Dalhousie met its end on September 26, 1872. The vessel was en route from Kingston to Hamilton, carrying a cargo of pig iron and general merchandise. Ten hours after departing Kingston, the Dalhousie caught fire. The fire spread rapidly, consuming the wooden vessel and leaving the crew and passengers in a dire situation.

The propeller City of Concord responded swiftly to the distress signal, rescuing the crew and passengers from the burning Dalhousie. Despite the best efforts to save the vessel, the fire burned the Dalhousie down to the water’s edge. The City of Concord attempted to tow the stricken vessel, but the Dalhousie eventually sank approximately two miles off Charlotte, New York, in Lake Ontario. The exact cause of the fire was not documented, leaving the incident shrouded in some mystery.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The Dalhousie was a total loss following the fire on September 26, 1872. The vessel sank in deep water after being towed by the City of Concord and was never recovered. The loss of the Dalhousie marked the end of its service on the Great Lakes, and it became yet another maritime casualty in the annals of Great Lakes history.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Dalhousie. However, the waters off Charlotte, New York, are known for their historical significance and the presence of multiple shipwrecks.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The exact location of the Dalhousie’s wreck has not been publicly documented, and it remains lost in the waters of Lake Ontario. The site has not been extensively explored or confirmed by modern underwater surveys.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

Given that the Dalhousie sank in 1872 and has not been located or explored, the wreck is presumed to be in a state of advanced deterioration, if any remains exist at all. The site is not accessible for diving or exploration, and the vessel’s wooden structure would have likely decayed significantly over the past century and a half.