3D image
Site:
Location: Washington Island GPS: 44°
14.940'N, 76° 4.310'W
Depth: 50 Feet
Bottom: Mud
Access: Boat Level: Intermediate to
Advanced
Year built unknown
Built at: unknown
Vessel Type Steam Yacht Hull
Materials: wood
Builder Name: unknown
Propulsion:
propeller
Length: 86 feet.
Beam 20 feet.
Depth of hold: unknown
Tonnage: unknown
Date of loss: before 1970
Cause: salvaged and burned
The remains of the Yacht Dauntless are midpoint between
Washington Island (east of Clayton) and Round Island,
in about 50 ft of water. This 80 foot double-ender yacht was burned, but some
decking and hatches remain. The engine is missing. Some scroll work about the
bow and wide decking with bright white caulking is still visible. The metal
work for a canvas canapé is nearby as well as some large timbers.
History:
In 1921 Brown Boat Line acquired the Dauntless with the
capacity to hold 100 passengers. At the time she was the largest motor yachts
on the river operating a regular passenger schedule between Clayton and Alexandria Bay, N.Y.
The Dauntless was salvaged by one of the local shipbuilders in Clayton in the
mid 1900’s. Her engine and most of her metal work were removed. She was set on
fire and allowed to drift downstream from Washington Island toward Round Island.
She sank about half way between the two. Old timers told divers about the Dauntless
and other salvaged yachts that met the same fate. Found by the Auburn Divers in
the 1970’s, the Dauntless was identified by the scroll work that was visible on
the hull. The other yachts were never found.
OSWEGO
DAILY TIMES MONDAY EVENING, Page 4
AUGUST 15, 1921.
100 PASSENGER POWERBOAT IN BROWN FLEET
Alexandria
Bay, Aug. 13
Dauntless, newest addition to the Brown Boat Line operating
between Clayton and Alexandria
Bay in connection with
all New York Central trains, made its first trip up from Clayton last night
arriving here at 6:50 p. m. The Dauntless, which is the largest motor yacht on
the river operating a regular passenger schedule has a permitted capacity of
100 passengers. She is 86 feet long and is equipped with a 160 horse power twin
screw Buffalo
engine.
The boat will replace the old Just Brown I on the schedule
and with the Just Brown II will connect with all incoming and outgoing trains
at Clayton to and from Thousand Island Park
and Alexandria Bay and intermediate points. The old
boat will be used for freight and mail service.
Capt M. P. Brown is in charge of the Dauntless.
