IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
- Original Vessel Name: Brownville
- Rebuilt Vessel Name: Wm. Avery (also referenced as being rebuilt on the Barcelona in 1836)
- Final Location of Original Incident: Near Alexandria Bay, NY, St. Lawrence River
- Final Location After Rebuild: Likely the same region, eventually rebuilt and operated under the new name.
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Brownville was a steamboat, a common type of vessel in the early 19th century, used for transporting goods and passengers along rivers and lakes. The steamboat was powered by steam engines, which allowed it to navigate upstream against currents, making it an essential tool for expanding commerce and travel in the United States during that period.
HISTORY #
The Brownville was a newly built steamboat, owned by E.B. Dodd and other investors from Jefferson County, NY. On its maiden voyage along the St. Lawrence River, the steamboat encountered a catastrophic fire. The incident occurred near Alexandria Bay, a well-known area along the river. Despite the destruction of the vessel and the loss of cargo, no lives were reported lost.
The cargo included ashes, pork, beer, and whisky, and the total estimated value of the boat and its cargo was approximately $13,000—a substantial amount at the time. The event was significant enough to be reported in newspapers such as the Ogdensburg Gazette and the Buffalo Journal & General Advertiser.
After the disaster, the burnt hull of the Brownville was towed back to Brownville, NY, where it was rebuilt. Following the reconstruction, the steamboat was renamed Wm. Avery. This renaming and rebuilding allowed the vessel to continue serving in the region, although steamboat navigation in and out of Brownville eventually waned.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The original vessel, the Brownville, was completely destroyed by fire during its first voyage near Alexandria Bay, NY. After being towed back to Brownville, the vessel was rebuilt and renamed Wm. Avery. The rebuilt steamboat continued operations for some time, although the exact duration and final fate of the Wm. Avery are not detailed in the available information.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INCIDENT #
The disaster involving the Brownville was a noteworthy event in the early history of steamboat navigation on the St. Lawrence River. The quick spread of the fire and the complete loss of the vessel on its maiden voyage underscored the dangers of early steamboat travel. However, the successful reconstruction and renaming of the vessel demonstrate the resilience and determination of the ship’s owners and the local community.
LATER HISTORICAL CONTEXT #
According to a recollection in the Watertown Despatch published around fifty years after the incident (circa 1878), the disaster marked a turning point in steamboat navigation to and from Brownville. Although steamboat navigation from Brownville dwindled after the incident, the article notes that a new steamboat was set to be launched on the Black River at Brownville around the time of the publication.
CURRENT CONDITION & LEGACY #
The remains of the Brownville (later Wm. Avery) likely no longer exist, or if they do, they would be part of the riverbed and scattered remnants. The story of the vessel serves as a reminder of the early challenges and risks of steamboat travel in the United States, particularly on the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries.
