IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Dauntless was a wooden sidewheel steamer built in 1885 at Pembroke, Ontario, by shipbuilder P. Lamothe. With a substantial length of 150 feet and a wide beam of 42 feet, the Dauntless was designed for towing operations along the Upper Ottawa River. The vessel was powered by a 32×96 engine manufactured by G. Brush in Montreal, which was repurposed from an earlier vessel, the “John Egan.”
HISTORY: #
The Dauntless was initially owned by the Upper Ottawa Towing Co. of Ottawa, Ontario. It was an essential component of the region’s transportation network, serving primarily as a towboat for moving cargo along the Ottawa River and its tributaries. The vessel’s powerful engine, which was later transferred to another vessel named “G. B. Greene,” enabled it to perform demanding towing tasks efficiently.
Throughout its service life, the Dauntless was a reliable workhorse on the river, contributing to the economic development of the Ottawa region by facilitating the movement of goods between key ports and towns. The vessel played a vital role in supporting the timber and transportation industries, which were crucial to the area’s economy during the late 19th century.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
Tragically, the Dauntless met its end on May 11, 1894, when a fire broke out onboard while the vessel was near Allumette Island, Quebec. The fire rapidly spread, engulfing the entire steamer and ultimately causing it to sink in the waters near the island. The incident occurred while the Dauntless was en route from Fort William to the Allumette Rapids, a critical passage on the Ottawa River.
The destruction of the Dauntless was a significant loss to the Upper Ottawa River’s transportation network, highlighting the inherent dangers faced by steamers operating in the region. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but the event serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in navigating the waterways of the time.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Dauntless wreck 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.
- C. Patrick Labadie Collection: Source of historical data on the Dauntless and other vessels.
CONCLUSION: #
The sinking of the Dauntless marked the end of a vital vessel that had served the Upper Ottawa River for nearly a decade. Its loss was felt across the region, underscoring the challenges and dangers faced by the steamers of the time. The Dauntless remains an important part of the maritime history of the Ottawa River, remembered for its contributions to the region’s economic development and the tragic circumstances of its demise.
KEYWORDS: #
Dauntless, Sidewheel Steamer, Ottawa River, Upper Ottawa Towing Co., Allumette Island, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck.
