Shipbuilding at DePauville, N.Y.

Thousand Islands Sun
April 11, 1968
Story related on early Depauville shipbuilding
Depauville-- A number of steamers ran between the villages of Chaumont and Depauville on the Chaumont river during the mid and late 1880’s.
There is an interesting account written some time ago by the late Frank D. Lowe of Watertown native and long time resident of Depauville.
The story refers to the operation of the little river of the “Watson Wright” a steamer built in Depauville.
The Chaumont river extends six miles from Chaumont to Depauville.
At the time the Civil war broke out an appropriation was made by the state legislature for dredging and removing all obstructions to navigation in the stream and when this work was done a basin was made at a spot know as the Dr. Frederick Dale place. This home is now occupied by Clarence Dorr on Caroline street. The purpose of the basin was to aid vessels while turning around and the wharf was about 40 feet east of the basin and was located in part of what was known as the A. D. Lowe place and now owned by Clark Sherman, Mr. Lowe was for a time Jefferson county assemblyman.
The deeds here grant title to the center of the creek subject however, to the stipulation contained in the patent whereby the land was originally granted. The stipulation provides for a driveway to the landing place or wharf.
In 1868 a century ago, the people, of the village decided to build a vessel at Depauville. This idea resulted in the building of a screw steamer which was at a later time christened the” M. W. Wright” in honor of M. Watson Wright who lived at Clayton Center and had contributed a great deal financially to the building of the vessel. This enterprise was carried on at the home of Mrs. Horace G. Jones on Caroline street Depauville, on the banks of the Chaumont river. Records show that it was built in 1868. It had the official No. 17825 gross tonnage of 34.6; net 23.96, length of 79 feet breadth 14 feet depth four feet eight inches horsepower was 25. She went on to Grand Haven Mich., in 1894 were she was rebuilt and the name was changed.
While the vessel was operated here it was manned by Capt. Gillette who rammed the vessel into the drawbridge at Chaumont, reportedly because of anger. It seems the Chaumont authorities would repeatedly miss raising the drawbridge when the vessel was coming and this bothered Capt. Gillette. The ramming of the bridge did a considerable amount of damage to it and this cost Gillette his job.
The spring of 1893 there was an agitation whether the railroad bridge at Chaumont should have a draw and this matter was concluded when the government directed that a draw a bridge was needed. Daniel Lamont was secretary of war. Hay and coal were carried down the Chaumont river around 1893. Another well known Chaumont river vessel and apparently the last was the “Little Mack” This was also reportedly built at Depauville. 

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