IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Leeds was a wooden sidewheel steamboat constructed in 1848 in Montreal, Quebec, by a builder named Waters. The vessel was designed as a “Pollywog,” a term used to describe a steamboat where the engines were placed as far aft (toward the rear) as possible, allowing for maximum cargo space. With an approximate length of 85 feet and a width of 17 feet, the Leeds was relatively small, yet it was well-suited for navigating the rivers it served.
HISTORY: #
The Leeds began its service shortly after its construction, initially owned by Clemow, Jones & Co. The vessel played a vital role in transporting goods and passengers along the Ottawa and Richelieu Rivers, key waterways in Quebec and Ontario. The Leeds served as an essential link in the trade and transportation network of the region, connecting communities and facilitating commerce.
By 1850, ownership of the Leeds had passed to M. K. Dickinson, who retained ownership until at least 1855. In subsequent years, the vessel became part of the Dickinson Ottawa & Rideau Line, a company involved in the transportation of goods and passengers along these important rivers. The Leeds continued to serve as a reliable means of transportation under this ownership through 1864.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
On October 18, 1868, the Leeds met a tragic end when it was wrecked in Chute à Blondeau, a location along the Ottawa River in Quebec. The specific circumstances leading to the wreck are not detailed in the available historical records, and the exact location within Chute à Blondeau remains unspecified. The wreck of the Leeds marked the end of its service on the Ottawa and Richelieu Rivers, closing a chapter in the maritime history of the region.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Leeds 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 steamboats like the Leeds and their impact on regional transportation.
CONCLUSION: #
The Leeds was a sidewheel steamboat that played an essential role in the transportation network of Quebec and Ontario during the mid-19th century. As a “Pollywog” design steamboat, it was optimized for cargo and passenger transport, making it a vital part of the region’s economic infrastructure. The tragic wreck of the Leeds in 1868 at Chute à Blondeau marked the end of its contributions to the maritime history of the Ottawa River, but its legacy endures as part of the broader narrative of river navigation in Canada.
KEYWORDS: #
Leeds, Sidewheel Steamboat, Montreal Quebec, Ottawa River, Richelieu River, Pollywog Design, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck, Clemow Jones & Co., M. K. Dickinson, Dickinson Ottawa & Rideau Line, Chute à Blondeau.
