IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Duchess of York was a steel sidewheel steamer constructed in 1895 in Hull (Montreal), Quebec. Originally built for passenger service, the vessel was powered by a vertical beam engine, also known as a walking beam, which had been repurposed from the steamship Prince of Wales (1860-1894). With radial paddlewheels and a firebox boiler, the Duchess of York was well-suited for transporting passengers along the Ottawa River and other routes in the region.
HISTORY: #
The Duchess of York commenced service in 1895, primarily operating along the Montreal, Quebec, Carillon, and Point Fortune routes. As a passenger steamer, it provided essential transportation services to the communities along the Ottawa River, contributing to the region’s economic and social activities.
In 1909, the vessel’s ownership changed to the Central Railway of Canada, under which it continued operations out of Montreal and Ottawa. In 1921-1922, feathering wheels from the steamship Caspian (which had been broken up in Sorel) were installed, improving its efficiency and performance.
Reflecting its evolving roles and ownership, the Duchess of York underwent several name changes:
- Sorel in 1925, after receiving the feathering wheels.
- Pelerin in 1927, when it began offering weekly excursions between Hamilton, Ontario, and Montreal.
- Beloeil in 1935, after being acquired by Quebec & St. Lawrence Navigation Co. Ltd.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
In 1938, the Duchess of York underwent a significant transformation when it was rebuilt as a barge and sold to Sauvageau Brothers in Three Rivers, Quebec. The vessel’s new role was to transport pulpwood, marking a drastic change from its origins as a passenger steamer.
Unfortunately, the Duchess of York met its final fate on February 12, 1945, when it sank. The sinking led to the vessel’s removal from the maritime registry, effectively ending its service life. The final location of the Duchess of York is recorded near Carillon, Quebec, at coordinates (45.50530254524312, -74.21970297691799).
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Duchess of York 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 sidewheel steamers like the Duchess of Yorkand their impact on regional transportation.
CONCLUSION: #
The Duchess of York had a rich and varied history, serving as a passenger steamer along the Ottawa River before being repurposed several times throughout its life. Its transformation into a market boat, and later into a pulpwood barge, reflects the adaptability and enduring value of the vessel. Despite its ultimate sinking in 1945, the Duchess of Yorkremains a notable example of the dynamic roles that vessels could play in the evolving maritime industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
KEYWORDS: #
Duchess of York, Sidewheel Steamer, Hull Montreal, Ottawa River, Sorel, Pelerin, Beloeil, 19th-century maritime history, steel shipwreck, Ottawa River Navigation Company, George Brush Engine, Carillon Quebec, Pulpwood Barge.
