Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Dolphin
  • Also Known As: (No alternate names recorded)
  • Year of Use/Service: 1838 (in government service)
  • Official Number/Registration: Not available
  • Date Built & Launched: Not documented; records only indicate her active use in 1838
  • Measurements: Specific dimensions are not recorded in the available historical summaries. (Dimensions would typically be provided in both Metric and Imperial if available.)
  • Final Disposition: The historical records do not detail a final disposition or subsequent fate of the Dolphin after her noted service.

Vessel Type

The Dolphin was a Steamer utilised by the government of Upper Canada. As an early steam-powered vessel in the region, she played a role in state operations during a turbulent period.

Description

Dolphin was operated in 1838 by the government of Upper Canada and was specifically employed to transport rebel prisoners from Prescott to Cornwall. Though technical specifications such as length, beam, and tonnage are not currently documented, her operational history highlights her utilitarian design as a government Steamer. Like many early steamers, she would have embodied the technological transition from sail to steam, featuring a steam engine that was later supplemented by additional means of power during challenging navigation.

History

In 1838, during a period marked by political unrest in Upper Canada, Dolphin was tasked with transporting rebel prisoners along the St. Lawrence River corridor. A particularly notable episode in her service occurred when, after fulfilling her prisoner transport duties, it became necessary to return her to her regular route. This task proved to be an extraordinary logistical challenge. The Dolphin was hauled up the Long Sault Rapids—a series of hazardous rapids on the river—using a combination of oxen, horses, capstans, and her own steam engine. This combined effort was a remarkable feat of early nineteenth-century engineering and teamwork, and it took a total of four weeks to complete. The successful navigation of the rapids in such a manner underscores the ingenuity and resourcefulness of those who managed the vessel during this era.

Final Dispositions

There is no documented record of a subsequent disposition, salvage, or long-term preservation for the Dolphin after her noted service. The available historical accounts focus solely on her 1838 operations and the extraordinary effort required to restore her to her regular route.

Located By & Date Found

No contemporary or historical records provide a modern GPS location or documented date of rediscovery for the Dolphin. As such, no coordinates or mapping links can be provided.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no known NOTMAR (Notice to Mariners) or advisory records associated with the Dolphin, as her operational period predates many of the modern navigational and maritime safety systems.

Resources & Links

For further details and additional historical context, consider reviewing these maritime history resources:

Additional archival and photographic resources can also be explored via:

Conclusion

The Dolphin stands as an example of early Canadian Steamship operations during a period of civil unrest. Her unique mission of transporting prisoners and the extraordinary effort to haul her up the Long Sault Rapids using a combination of animal power, mechanical capstans, and her own engine exemplify the challenges of nineteenth-century maritime logistics. While detailed technical specifications are not available, her operational story contributes valuable insight into the early steam era in Upper Canada.

In researching and cataloguing the Dolphin, relevant keywords to consider include “Upper Canada Steamer,” “1838 prisoner transport,” “Long Sault Rapids haul,” “government Steamer history,” and “early Canadian Steamship.” Categories for further exploration might encompass “Maritime History,” “Canadian Naval Operations,” and “Historical Steamers.” Glossary terms of interest include Steamer (a steam-powered vessel), Capstan (a rotating machine used on ships to apply force to ropes), and Long Sault Rapids (a historically significant rapid on the St. Lawrence River). These terms and categories provide a foundation for a broader exploration of early Canadian maritime history and technological adaptation during times of political challenge.