Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Chieftain (Also known as Chieftain III)
  • Year of Build: 1873
  • Official Number: 71178
  • Built At: Garden Island, Ontario
  • Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Number of Decks: 2
  • Builder: H. Rooney
  • Original Owner: Calvin & Co. (Breck), Kingston, Ontario
  • Power
    • Propulsion: Sidewheel
    • Engine: Beam engine from the Steamer Gildersleeve (1839)
    • Number of Cylinders: 1
    • Number of Boilers: 1
    • Propulsion Notes: The beam engine was replaced in August 1874.
  • Hull Dimensions
    • Length: 136.8 feet (41.7 meters)
    • Beam: 24.1 feet (7.35 meters)
    • Depth: 9.4 feet (2.87 meters)
    • Gross Tonnage: 435 tons (395 metric tons)
    • Net Tonnage: 197 tons (179 metric tons)

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.

Final Dispositions

  • Final Location: St. Antoine’s Light, St. Lawrence River
  • Date: August 1911
  • Cause: Collision with the vessel Hero

Located By & Date

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.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The site around St. Antoine’s Light is known for navigational obstructions, and caution is advised for boaters in this historically dense area of the St. Lawrence River. Some of these wrecks, including the Chieftain, are documented in maritime advisories to inform and protect both the diving community and general watercraft traffic.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

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