IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The G. H. PERLEY was a wooden vessel constructed in 1890 by the shipbuilders J & R. Weir. Though some sources classify it as a steamboat, others refer to it as a tugboat, likely due to its dual-purpose design and usage. The vessel was robustly built to serve the Upper Ottawa Improvement Co., a company heavily involved in managing the timber trade along the Ottawa River.
The G. H. PERLEY was utilized for towing timber, a crucial role in the lumber industry of the region. Whether operating as a steamboat or a tugboat, its function was essential to the transportation and management of timber, supporting the economic activities along the Ottawa River.
HISTORY: #
Commissioned by the Upper Ottawa Improvement Co., the G. H. PERLEY was built in 1890 to serve the booming timber industry in the Ottawa River region. The vessel played a key role in towing rafts of timber down the river, a task that required both power and reliability. This dual classification as either a steamboat or tugboat reflects its versatility in handling different types of maritime tasks, whether towing or general transportation.
The G. H. PERLEY quickly became an integral part of the river’s daily operations, ensuring the smooth movement of timber, which was a significant economic driver in the area during the late 19th century.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
On June 4th, 1895, the G. H. PERLEY met a tragic end while towing timber on the Ottawa River. The vessel caught fire just outside of Arnprior on Chats Lake. Despite efforts to save it, the fire consumed the vessel entirely, leading to its sinking at the location marked by coordinates (45.45432458210168, -76.3355389621816). The exact cause of the fire is not detailed in available records, but the loss of the G. H. PERLEY marked a significant event for the Upper Ottawa Improvement Co., as well as for the broader maritime and timber industries of the region.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the G. H. PERLEY have been identified.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Ottawa River Maritime Archives: Provides records and historical accounts related to vessels operating along the Ottawa River and surrounding waterways.
- Chats Lake Historical Society: For further research into the history of timber towing vessels like the G. H. PERLEY and their role in the region’s economic development.
CONCLUSION: #
The G. H. PERLEY was a vital vessel in the Ottawa River’s maritime history, serving the timber industry with distinction until its untimely demise in 1895. Whether classified as a steamboat or tugboat, the G. H. PERLEY’s contributions to the region’s economic activities were significant. The fire that led to its destruction underscores the risks faced by vessels operating in this challenging environment and marks the end of an important chapter in the history of the Ottawa River’s timber trade.
KEYWORDS: #
G. H. PERLEY, Steamboat, Tugboat, Ottawa River, Upper Ottawa Improvement Co., Timber Towing, 19th-century maritime history, Wooden shipwreck, Chats Lake, Arnprior Ontario, Maritime Fire.
