Shotline Diving

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Weldon (1919)

Explore the history of the Weldon, a wooden screw-propelled vessel that served the Lake Deschenes region before its tragic end in a fire.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Weldon
  • Type: Screw-Propelled Vessel
  • Year Built: 1919
  • Builder: Aylmer, Quebec
  • Dimensions: Length: 88 ft (26.8 m); Beam: 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 107 tons
  • Location: Lake Deschenes, Quebec
  • Original Owners: Chats Falls Navigation Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Weldon was a wooden, screw-propelled vessel designed to serve the transportation needs of the Lake Deschenes region in Quebec, Canada. Compact yet sturdy, the vessel was vital for connecting communities and facilitating commerce. The single-deck design and screw propulsion made the Weldon an efficient and reliable vessel for ferrying both goods and passengers across the Ottawa River and its tributaries.

Description

Owned by the Chats Falls Navigation Co., the Weldon was a key part of the company’s operations, linking towns and villages along the Ottawa River. At a time when waterways were the lifeblood of regional commerce, the Weldon ensured the timely movement of people and cargo, supporting the economic vitality of the area.

The vessel played a significant role in maintaining connections between the communities surrounding Lake Deschenes. It was especially crucial in an era when road infrastructure was limited and waterways provided the most efficient means of transportation.

History

The Weldon met a tragic end when it caught fire while operating on Lake Deschenes. The fire completely destroyed the vessel. While the exact date and cause of the fire remain unknown, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels, particularly their susceptibility to catastrophic fires.

The loss of the Weldon marked a significant disruption to the transportation network it supported. The vessel’s demise highlights the risks inherent in early 20th-century maritime operations, where fire was a common and devastating hazard.

Significant Incidents

  • No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) have been issued regarding the wreck of the Weldon.

Final Disposition

The story of the Weldon is a poignant reminder of the essential role smaller vessels played in regional commerce and transportation during the early 20th century. Despite its modest size, the vessel was a cornerstone of the economic and social fabric of the communities it served. Its fiery demise illustrates the challenges and risks faced by wooden vessels in a time when fire safety and emergency response were limited.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Weldon is confirmed lost, with no known remains or wreck site documented.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Weldon’s contribution to the Lake Deschenes region and the Ottawa River’s transportation history cannot be understated. Though its service ended prematurely, the vessel exemplified the ingenuity and utility of early 20th-century wooden screw-propelled ships. Its legacy lives on as part of Quebec’s rich maritime heritage, serving as a reminder of the pivotal role waterways played in shaping the region’s communities and economies.