IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Rideau Belle was a wooden steam barge built in 1885 in Kingston, Ontario. Originally measuring 85 feet in length, with a beam of 15 feet, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 89 tons. The Rideau Belle was designed for use on the Rideau Canal, a crucial waterway connecting Kingston and Ottawa. The vessel was equipped with a screw propulsion system, which was a common and efficient choice for vessels of its size and function during that period.
HISTORY: #
The Rideau Belle saw several modifications during its operational life, including two significant rebuilds. The first rebuild occurred in 1886, only a year after its initial launch. The specifics of the modifications made during this rebuild are not fully documented, but the vessel continued to operate under the same official number, indicating that the changes were substantial but did not alter the vessel’s identity.
Ownership of the Rideau Belle changed hands multiple times. In 1886, it was owned by D. Noonan of Kingston, Ontario. By 1893, the vessel had been acquired by E. & W. H. Fleming of Elgin, Ontario, indicating its continued use and importance in the region’s maritime activities.
The second rebuild of the Rideau Belle resulted in a reduction of its length to 69 feet while maintaining the same beam of 15 feet and a depth of 6 feet. The vessel continued to be propelled by a screw propulsion system, and despite the modifications, it remained a vital part of the local fleet.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
Tragically, the Rideau Belle was destroyed by fire on December 3, 1895, while it was laid up for the winter in its quarters at “West Bay” of Sand Lake, near Davis Lock on the Rideau Canal. The exact cause of the fire remains undocumented, but the incident led to the complete loss of the vessel. The Rideau Belle’s final location was near Davis Lock, a historically significant site along the Rideau Canal, now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The destruction of the Rideau Belle marked the end of a vessel that had served its owners and the local community for a decade. The loss was a significant event in the area, as the Rideau Belle had been a familiar sight on the waters of the Rideau Canal.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Rideau Belle have been identified.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Rideau Canal Archives: Offers historical records and accounts related to vessels that operated on the Rideau Canal.
- Kingston Maritime History Collection: Provides information on the shipbuilding history of Kingston, Ontario, where the Rideau Belle was constructed.
CONCLUSION: #
The Rideau Belle was a steam barge that played a vital role in the transportation and commerce along the Rideau Canal. Its multiple rebuilds and changes in ownership reflect its continued utility and importance over its operational life. The vessel’s unfortunate end due to fire in 1895 near Davis Lock serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by steam-powered vessels in the 19th century, particularly in the harsh conditions of Canadian winters. The Rideau Belle remains a part of the maritime history of the Rideau Canal, contributing to the legacy of this historic waterway.
KEYWORDS: #
Rideau Belle, Steam Barge, Rideau Canal, Sand Lake, Davis Lock, 19th-century maritime history, Wooden shipwreck, Kingston Ontario, Maritime fire.
