IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
| Cell 1 |
|
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Aurora was a wooden sidewheel steamboat constructed in 1866 at Levis, Quebec. With a length of 108 feet and a gross tonnage of 125 tons, the Aurora was designed for tug operations, playing a vital role in assisting larger vessels and performing various towing tasks along the waterways of Quebec.
HISTORY: #
The Aurora began its service in 1866 and soon became an essential part of the regional maritime operations. Initially owned by Captain Filgate in 1868, the vessel was later sold to J. Stephenson of the Beauharnois Navigation Company in 1871. By 1877, the Aurora had changed hands again, coming under the ownership of J. Blondin of Lachine, Quebec.
As a tug, the Aurora was tasked with assisting other vessels, particularly in challenging navigational areas, such as rivers and canals. Tugboats like the Aurora were critical to the safe and efficient movement of ships, ensuring that cargo and passenger vessels could navigate safely through congested or difficult waterways.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Aurora met a tragic end on July 5, 1885, when it was engulfed in a devastating fire while situated in Carillon, Quebec, Canada. The fire completely destroyed the steamboat, marking the abrupt end of its nearly two-decade-long service. The specific circumstances that led to the fire are not detailed in the available historical records, leaving the cause of the incident a mystery.
The loss of the Aurora was a significant event, not only because of the destruction of the vessel but also due to the impact it likely had on the local maritime community, which depended on the services provided by tugs like the Aurora.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Aurora have been identified.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides records and historical accounts related to the vessels of the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways.
- Quebec Historical Archives: For further research into the history of steamboats like the Aurora and their role in regional maritime activities.
CONCLUSION: #
The Aurora was a significant sidewheel steamboat that played a crucial role in the tug operations along Quebec’s waterways during the late 19th century. Despite changing ownership several times, the vessel continued to provide essential services until its untimely destruction by fire in 1885. The Aurora’s legacy reflects the importance of tugboats in the maritime industry and the risks these vessels faced in their day-to-day operations. While the exact details of the fire remain unknown, the Aurora’s contributions to the region’s maritime history are remembered.
KEYWORDS: #
Aurora, Sidewheel Steamboat, Tugboat, Levis Quebec, Carillon Quebec, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck, Captain Filgate, Beauharnois Navigation Company, J. Blondin.
