Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Chieftain (Chieftain III)
- Type: Tug (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: H. Rooney
- Dimensions: Length 136.8 ft (41.7 m); Beam 24.1 ft (7.35 m); Depth of hold 9.4 ft (2.87 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 435 tons (395 metric tons); Net Tonnage: 197 tons (179 metric tons)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.87 m / 9.4 ft
- Location: St. Antoine’s Light, St. Lawrence River
- Official Number: 71178
- Original Owners: Calvin & Co. (Breck), Kingston, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Chieftain was a wooden-hulled sidewheel tugboat built primarily for towing. It was designed as a robust vessel capable of navigating both the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, equipped with a beam engine that initially came from the older steamer Gildersleeve. Its primary function was to tow other vessels and navigate challenging currents, exemplifying the utility tugs held in the 19th-century Great Lakes commercial fleet.
Description
Built by H. Rooney at Garden Island, Ontario, the Chieftain initially served under Calvin & Co., a prominent Kingston-based shipping company. The vessel was outfitted with a sidewheel propulsion system and a single-cylinder beam engine, originally salvaged from an earlier steamer. This engine configuration was quite common among tugs of the period, as it allowed for adequate maneuverability and power, although the engine was replaced a year later in 1874 to meet operational demands.
The Chieftain was significant for its time, spanning almost 42 meters in length and designed with considerable gross tonnage, which underscored its capacity to manage substantial towing loads on the Great Lakes. A notable rebuild in 1889 enhanced its structure, while another modification around 1906 likely included a full reconstruction at Garden Island, after which it was renamed Chieftain III.
History
The Chieftain’s operational years included a variety of assignments across the Great Lakes, particularly around the St. Lawrence River, where it was employed by Calvin & Co. for towing services. Its longevity in service was notable, spanning nearly four decades, which testifies to the durability of its construction and the effectiveness of its modifications. However, in August 1911, the vessel met its end following a collision with the Hero near St. Antoine’s Light in the St. Lawrence River. The sinking marked the Chieftain as one of the many Great Lakes vessels lost to navigational accidents in busy waterways.
Significant Incidents
- August 1911: Collision with the vessel Hero near St. Antoine’s Light, leading to the sinking of the Chieftain.
Final Disposition
- Final Location: St. Antoine’s Light, St. Lawrence River
- Date: August 1911
- Cause: Collision with the vessel Hero
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is limited information on whether the wreck site has been precisely located or documented by modern underwater archaeological surveys. The area near St. Antoine’s Light, however, is marked as a location of historical wrecks and obstructions due to its traffic and navigational challenges.
Resources & Links
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The Chieftain (later Chieftain III) embodies the legacy of Great Lakes towing vessels, representing a blend of engineering innovation and maritime risk typical of the era. Its history is closely tied to the evolution of tugboats on the Great Lakes, and its unfortunate demise illustrates the dangers these vessels faced. Today, its story serves as a maritime testament, preserved through records and potential dive explorations near St. Antoine’s Light.
Keywords: Great Lakes, shipwreck, Chieftain tugboat, St. Lawrence River, Calvin & Co., Great Lakes shipping history, sidewheel propulsion, maritime collision
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