Every Monday we share an image on the Essex on Lake Champlain Facebook page and invite our viewers to play some Vintage Essex Trivia.
Do you recognize this steamer? What can you tell us about it? Did it ever operate out of and/or around Essex, NY? When do you think this photo was taken?
The postcard’s title reads: “Steamer Chateaugay, Lake Champlain, NY”. The name of the ship is also clear along its side.
The back of the postcard (see below) credits the publication to “Arthur Livingston”. The stamped date reads “Aug, 14” but the year is unreadable, only a “9” is legible. So that does not help us date the photo, except that the postcard was likely mailed in the 1900s.
I also found this article dating to August 1907 that speaks of an accident involving the Steamer Chateaugay on Lake Champlain by South Hero Island: “GOVERNOR’S WIFE IN PERIL. Mrs. Proctor Buoyed Up by Her Clothes—-One Lost in Lake Accident.” That does tell us the ship was operating in the early 1900s on Lake Champlain.
Fate of the Steamer Chateaugay?
Does anyone know what happened to the Chateaugay? Some online research led me to what I believe is the truth.
In 1939 it was sold and transported to Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampsire. The man who purchased it was Captain Leander Lavallee who wanted to repurpose it to replace his lost ship Mount Washington.
“[H]e spotted the old sidewheeler Chateaugay at Burlington, Vermont, on Lake Champlain. Here stood the iron-hulled steamer, built in 1888, staunch as the day she was launched. At the time Lavallee looked her over, she was being used as a club house by Burlington Yacht Club. Gambling all on the faith that the one hundred and fifty miles that separated the two lakes could be overcome, the contract was signed to purchase the Chateaugay for $20,000. Thus began the unsurmountable task of dismantling the superstructure and transporting the hull to Lakeport, N. H.” (Lake Winnipesaukee Musuem)
Click the source link to read the full story!
Do you have anything else to share? Please leave a comment below!
Share Your Essex Artifacts
If you want to share your old photos of Essex (or brochures; postcards; menus; tickets; any artifact) on the blog please email us at editor [AT] essexonlakechamplain [DOT] com.
Related articles
- Vintage Postcard: Sherwood Inn Waterfront (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Lake Champlain Bridge (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Serene Boat Scene (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Adirondack Ferry at Port Kent Dock (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Windsor Ferry (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Essex Main Street Looking North (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Jean Cole says
In 1913, my aunt Anna Drury and some lady friends from Atchison KS, vacationed on Lake Champlain. I have numerous photos taken in the area as well as vintage postcards of the steamers Ticonderoga, Chateaugay, and Vermont. Have you any interest in them. I will donate.
Jean Cole
Bulverde TX