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 (is this a photo?) was taken?
Here are the comments from the community:
Dianne Lansing: Is the Chateguay the one that crashed north of Westport?…with parts remaining in Essex?
Essex on Lake Champlain: Actually the shipwreck north of Westport (actually just north of Rock Harbor) was named the Champlain II (formerly the Oakes Ames). Salvaged rudder and other parts of the vessel are repurposed in and around Essex. Here’s some more information: http://www.lcmm.org/shipwrecks_history/uhp/champlain_ii.htm
Take a look at the back of the postcard below. It was postmarked in 1908. The credit line on the left side also tells us it was published by The Rochester News Company of Rochester, NY. Although the insignia “Poly Chrome” has “Germany” underneath, so perhaps the actual card was created in Germany at the behest of the Rochester company?
Here is another old postcard of the Steamer Chateaugay that we shared in the past that may offer some insight into the history of the ship: “Vintage Postcard: Chateaugay Steamer.”
Do you have any other thoughts 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: Lake Street, Essex, NY (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Photo: Lake Champlain Bridge (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Stereoview: Outdoor Group Portrait (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Sherwood Inn Waterfront (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Serene Boat Scene (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Steve Cunnion says
See “Sails and Steam in the Mountains: A maritime and Military History of Lake George and Lake Champlain.” by Russell P. Bellico, 1992
” …the Champlain Transportation Company built the 1000-horsepower 205-foot Chateaugay with an iron hull. The Chateaugay, a marvel of inland steamboat construction, began passenger and excursion service in 1888. The 1,200-passenger vessel operated until 1917 when it was temporarily laid-up due to a drop in tourism during World War I. She operated for a few years after the war but was out of service from 1922 to 1924.”
She was later was made into a car ferry and carried over 48,000 cars between Port Kent and Burlington. At the end of the Depression she became the clubhouse for the Burlington Yacht Club
Katie Shepard says
Thanks for sharing what you know!