IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Vessel Name: Leeds
  • Year of Build: 1848
  • Built at: Montreal, Quebec
  • Type: Sidewheel Steamboat (Pollywog Design)
  • Hull Materials: Wood
  • Number of Decks: 1
  • Dimensions:
    • Approximately 85 feet (25.9 meters) in length,
    • 17 feet (5.2 meters) in width
  • Tonnage: Gross – 82 tons (apparent historical error noted)
  • Final Resting Place: Chute à Blondeau, Ottawa River, Quebec

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Leeds was a small wooden sidewheel Steamboat designed with a “Pollywog” layout, characterized by its aft-positioned engine to optimize cargo space. This design was particularly advantageous for navigating narrow and shallow waterways, making the vessel ideal for operations on the Ottawa and Richelieu Rivers.

HISTORY

The Leeds was launched in 1848 in Montreal by a builder named Waters, under the initial ownership of Clemow, Jones & Co. It quickly became a crucial part of the trade and transportation network in Quebec and Ontario, serving the Ottawa and Richelieu Rivers. These waterways were vital commercial arteries during the mid-19th century, linking rural communities to larger trading hubs.

By 1850, the vessel was acquired by M. K. Dickinson, who operated it as part of the Dickinson Ottawa & Rideau Line. Under this ownership, the Leeds continued to facilitate the movement of goods and passengers, remaining a staple of regional transport through the 1860s.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On October 18, 1868, the Leeds met its end at Chute à Blondeau on the Ottawa River. The details of the wreck remain sparse, but the vessel was lost in this location, bringing its 20 years of service to a close. The wreck of the Leeds underscores the risks faced by riverine vessels in an era when navigation aids were limited and waterways could be unpredictable.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently associated with the wreck of the Leeds. The precise location within Chute à Blondeau remains unclear, and the site has not been extensively surveyed or documented.

RESOURCES & LINKS

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records and accounts of vessels like the Leeds.
  • Quebec Historical Archives: Resources on 19th-century steamboats and their impact on Canadian transportation.
  • Ottawa River Historical Society: Information on the role of steamboats in regional commerce and history.

CONCLUSION

The Leeds represents an era when sidewheel steamboats were the lifeblood of regional trade and transportation in Canada. Its innovative “Pollywog” design maximized efficiency and utility on the often-challenging waterways of the Ottawa and Richelieu Rivers. The vessel’s service under prominent owners like Clemow, Jones & Co. and M. K. Dickinson highlights its significance in the economic infrastructure of the mid-19th century.

The wreck of the Leeds at Chute à Blondeau in 1868 marked the end of its valuable contributions. Although little remains of the vessel today, its legacy persists in the historical narratives of Canada’s maritime development.

KEYWORDS

Leeds, Sidewheel Steamboat, Pollywog Design, Chute à Blondeau, Ottawa River, Richelieu River, Clemow Jones & Co., M. K. Dickinson, 19th-century shipwreck, Canadian maritime history, wooden Steamboat.