The steam barge T.J. Waffle (1913)

1. General

See also the entry for the steam barge T.J. Waffle in our ships Database.

NOTATIONS:
(2) Engine 12x14 from "Edmond". Firebox boiler, new 1914, 4'8" x 8'0", by P.J. Powers, Ottawa
(3) Tonnage given as 202 (gross), 164 (net).

4. History

• 1913: Built for T.J. & W.J. Waffle, Smiths Falls.
• 1914: Registserd by T.J. & W.J. Waffle, Smiths Falls.
• 1916: Transferred to A. Foster, Smiths Falls.
• 1919: Transferred to James Smith and Co., Kingston; remeasured.
• 1919, 22 September: Foundered between Oswego and Main Duck, 8 lives lost.

Newspaper and other transcriptions

5. British Whig (Kingston, ON), 12 Sep 1913 : The new steam barge recently launched at Westport for Captain Foster was taken to Smith's Falls in tow of the yacht Lee. The new boat was constructed by T.J. Waffle and is 112 feet long and 22 feet beam, and is one of the most substantially built craft on the Rideau, her timbers being extra heavy and more than usually stayed and bolted. The new boat will not be in commission this fall, but will be in readiness for the opening of navigation next year when it will be used in connection with Captain Foster's extensive business.
6. Capt. Dulmage, of Picton, of the steamer T. J. Waffle, was stricken with paralysis at Booth's wharf, Kingston, on Sept. 29, and was taken to the General Hospital for treatment. -- Canadian Shipping and Marine Engineering, October 1916, Vol. VI No. 10, p. 22
7. Green's Marine Directory of the Great Lakes, 1916, p. 87 : No. 364, Waffle, T.J. and W.J., Kingston, Ont., Str. (steamer) Waffle, T.J. [Note: this is repeated in Green's Marine Directory of the Great Lakes, 1920, at p. 144
8. Oswego Daily Palladium, Tuesday September 23, 1919 : Steamer Waffle probably lost in Lake Ontario : Wreckage on Lake Shore Near Beach Oswego Brings Mute Evidence of Disaster : Carried Crew of Six Under Captain Beaupre of Kingston – Left Fair Haven Yesterday Morning for Kingston – Has Not Reached There
   Wreckage that came in behind the strong North wind early to day and littered up the shore from Lake Ontario Park to a point West of Beach Oswego, brought much evidence that the little steamer T. J. Waffle probably foundered in Lake Ontario last night not far off the port of Oswego. No word had come up to late this afternoon from Captain C. Beaupre, of Kingston, Ont., the skipper of the boat and her crew of six. If the Waffle foundered, as seems probable they may have taken to a small boat and may be safe, but the fact they had not reported up to three o’clock this afternoon makes it appear that they have gone down with the steamer, the fate of which may never be known.
   The Waffle which used to be on the Rideau trade, is owned by James Swift & Sons, of Kingston. She has traded on Lake Ontario for several years and frequently made the port of Oswego. Latterly she had been carrying coal from Fair Haven. She left Fair Haven yesterday morning at ten o’clock with 249 gross tons. She should have made Kingston last night. At three o’clock this afternoon. Mr. Ewin told the Palladium over the telephone that she had not arrived there and that no news had been received of her. He expressed deep regret when told of the wreckage found near this port.
   There was a high North wind on the lake last night and when those living near the Beach arose early today they saw the first of the wreckage. It continued to come in during the morning. Among the articles washed up on shore were several life preservers marked with the name of the steamer.
   The fact that the wreckage came so soon makes it probable that if the boat has foundered it must have gone down not far from shore. The wind did not kick up until late in the day, but several things may have happened to wreck the boat. She may have had an explosion or she may have sprung a leak.
   Swift & Company said they would make every effort to get some information later today. They are sending another steamer to Fair Haven tonight and she will range about the lake looking for survivors. At the Fair Haven trestle it was said that no news had been heard from the Waffle since she cleared yesterday morning.
   The Waffle was a new boat being built in 1914. She was 102 feet long and had twenty-two feet five inches beam.
   The captain of the tug Muscalonge of the Sin Mac line, today reported that he saw a small steamer about 5:30 yesterday afternoon. She was bound across when he first saw her and later turned and was apparently make for some South shore port.
   

References and source notes

(1) Various registers, Ontario.
(2, 3) Based in part on the Great Lakes Collection, Patrick Labadie.
(5-8) As cited in text.