The John Egan, constructed in 1872 at Pembroke, Ontario, was a sidewheel vessel with a length of 164 feet, a width of 23 feet, and a gross tonnage of 493. It was initially owned by the Union Forwarding Company of Ottawa in 1877 before being acquired by the Upper Ottawa Towing Company in 1886.
The steamship was built by A. Miller and launched on May 24, 1872. It was equipped with a 32×96 engine manufactured by G. Brush of Montreal, originally intended for the vessel “Dauntless.” The John Egan primarily served the route between Des Joachims and Pembroke, facilitating transportation and cargo movement in the region.
In 1880, the John Egan underwent a rebuild, resulting in changes to its dimensions. After the modification, its official number became 80897, and it had a length of 164 feet, a width of 23 feet (40 feet over the paddle boxes), and a tonnage of 313. This alteration aimed to transform the vessel into a towboat, catering to specific needs in the area.
However, the John Egan’s fate took a tragic turn in 1882 when it suffered damage from a fire. Following the incident, the vessel was repurposed as a floating hotel in Pembroke, but its operational days were numbered. Eventually, the Union Forwarding and Railway Company, which had experienced financial difficulties, collapsed, leading to the abandonment of the John Egan. The vessel was beached and left to decay, marking the end of its active service.
The John Egan’s presence on the waterways played a vital role in facilitating transportation and cargo movement between Pembroke and Des Joachims. Although it met an unfortunate end, its legacy remains as a testament to the maritime history of the region.
