IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Bout de l’Ile was a small wooden ferryboat constructed in 1904 in Bout de l’Ile, Quebec, by M. Archambault. The ferryboat was equipped with a sidewheel propulsion system, featuring paddlewheels on its sides for movement through the water. With a gross tonnage of 15 tons, the Bout de l’Ile was designed for ferrying passengers and possibly vehicles across short distances, providing essential transportation services in the region.
HISTORY: #
The Bout de l’Ile began its service shortly after its construction in 1904. Although the specific details of its initial ownership are not provided, it is known that by 1909, the vessel was owned by A. Chatelaine in L’Orignal, Ontario. This change in ownership suggests that the ferryboat was actively used for transportation services in various locations along the waterways of Quebec and Ontario.
The ferryboat was powered by two small engines, each measuring 5×5, and manufactured by Parent & Delorme in Montreal. These engines provided the necessary power for the vessel’s operations, allowing it to navigate the waterways efficiently as a ferry.
The Bout de l’Ile primarily operated in Calumet, Quebec, where it likely served the local community by transporting passengers across the water. Ferryboats like the Bout de l’Ile were crucial for connecting communities, especially in areas where bridges or other transportation infrastructure were limited.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
Tragically, on September 29, 1914, the Bout de l’Ile met its demise when it foundered and sank in Calumet, Quebec. The specific circumstances leading to the vessel’s sinking and the exact location of the incident are not detailed in the available historical records. The foundering of the Bout de l’Ile marked the end of its service as a ferry, leaving behind a legacy of providing essential transportation services to the communities it served.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Bout de l’Ile 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 ferryboats like the Bout de l’Ile and their impact on regional transportation.
CONCLUSION: #
The Bout de l’Ile was a small but significant ferryboat that played an essential role in the transportation network of Quebec and Ontario during the early 20th century. As a sidewheel ferry, it provided a vital service in connecting communities, particularly in areas where other forms of transportation were limited. The tragic sinking of the Bout de l’Ile on September 29, 1914, brought an abrupt end to its service, but its contributions to the region’s maritime history are remembered as part of the broader narrative of early 20th-century transportation in Canada.
KEYWORDS: #
Bout de l’Ile, Ferryboat, Sidewheel Propulsion, Quebec, Calumet Quebec, Wooden Ship, 20th-century maritime history, foundering, A. Chatelaine, L’Orignal Ontario, Parent & Delorme.
