IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The H.P. Bigelow was a wooden yacht built in 1893 in Baldwinsville, New York. It was a propeller-driven vessel, designed primarily for leisure and pleasure cruising. With a length of 67 feet and a gross tonnage of 46 tons, the H.P. Bigelow was a relatively small, yet elegant vessel, well-suited for navigating the scenic waterways of the St. Lawrence River and surrounding areas.
HISTORY #
The H.P. Bigelow served as a private yacht, embodying the luxury and leisure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Yachts like the H.P. Bigelow were popular among the affluent residents and vacationers of the Thousand Islands region, providing a means to enjoy the natural beauty of the area in comfort. The yacht’s propeller rig indicates it was powered by a screw propeller, a common feature in vessels of this type and era, providing reliable propulsion for leisurely cruises.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The H.P. Bigelow met its end on June 5, 1920, when it burned at Morristown, NY. The circumstances of the fire are not detailed, but the incident resulted in the total loss of the vessel. The burning of the H.P. Bigelow marked the conclusion of its service, and it likely left little behind beyond historical records and the memories of those who enjoyed its use.
LEGACY #
The H.P. Bigelow is remembered as part of the rich maritime history of the Thousand Islands region. Its destruction by fire in 1920 closed the chapter on a vessel that had served as a symbol of leisure and affluence during its nearly three decades of operation. The legacy of the H.P. Bigelow contributes to the broader understanding of recreational boating during the Gilded Age and early 20th century in the St. Lawrence River area.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The H.P. Bigelow was destroyed by fire, and it is presumed that no significant remains of the vessel exist today. The site of the fire at Morristown, NY, may hold some historical interest, but the yacht itself is no longer accessible.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A resource for historical records related to vessels that operated in the Great Lakes and surrounding areas, including the St. Lawrence River.
CONCLUSION #
The H.P. Bigelow yacht served as a luxurious vessel for nearly 30 years before its untimely destruction by fire in 1920. Its story is a small but meaningful part of the history of leisure boating in the Thousand Islands region, reflecting the social and economic trends of the time. Though it no longer exists, the H.P. Bigelow remains a symbol of the elegant and leisurely lifestyle enjoyed by its owners and passengers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
