Dauntless
Ship stats
Depth: 14 feet
Coordinates: 43° 26.541'N/ 76° 35.065'W (Dauntless’ Engine)
43° 26.549'N/ 76° 35.092'W (Caution: Location of David W. Mills’ Boiler. Use caution as the boiler is a hazard to navigation with a least depth of 2 feet)
Vessel Type: Wooden steam tugboat
Length: 82 feet
Breadth: 18 feet
Gross Tonnage: 81
Built: 1871 at Levis, Quebec
Date Lost: August 28, 1905
Cause of Loss: Stranded and capsized in storm
Loss of Life: None reported
Historical Background
The wooden steam tugboat Dauntless was built at Point-Levis, Quebec in 1871. Dauntless was 82 feet long, 18 feet in breadth, with a 9.6-foot depth of hold, measuring 81 gross tons and 35 net tons. Following its launch, the tug would be registered at Quebec City, Quebec for the entirety of its career and was assigned Canadian official number 64967.
The tug was principally employed in the St. Lawrence River forwarding trade, towing grain-laden barges from Kingston and Prescott, Ontario’s elevators to Quebec, as well as in the Lake Ontario coal trade.
On April 28, 1905, Dauntless was driven onto Ford Shoals with the barges Black Diamond and Onondaga in tow. Upon striking the shoal, Dauntless was overturned by the waves, before breaking apart and becoming a total loss. Dauntless’ crew escaped to the tug’s lifeboat and landed ashore safely. The barges were subsequently taken in tow of the tugboat Cortland and were saved.
In 2019 and 2025 NOAA divers visited the wreck of the wooden bulk carrier David W. Mills, collecting photographs of the engine. Subsequent research determined that the engine, long thought to belong to David W. Mills, actually belonged to a separate wreck. A review of historical losses indicated that the engine is almost certainly associated with Dauntless. Further archaeological research is ongoing to identify any additional wreckage associated with Dauntless in the area.
Wreck Site
Photo model of Dauntless’ fore-and-aft compound steam engine. Photo: Joe Hoyt/NOAA
Dauntless’ fore-and-aft compounding steam engine is presently the only remains that have been identified from the tugboat. The engine lies amidst the scattered wreckage of David W. Mills in 14 feet of water on the south side of Ford Shoals, approximately 4 miles west of Oswego. With the wreckage of both vessels being frequently visible from the surface, the site is ideal for snorkelers, paddlers, and scuba divers.
Caution: Please note that when approaching the site, the David W. Mills’ boiler, located a short distance to the north, is a hazard to navigation, rising to within 2 feet of the surface. Approach the site slowly and maintain a careful lookout to identify and avoid the boiler.
