A member of Reid Newfoundland Company’s ‘alphabet fleet’, the SS Dundee was named after the city in Scotland with a rich history of shipbuilding and maritime heritage connected to Newfoundland and Labrador. Dundee began service of the Bonavista Bay area and northeast coast of Newfoundland since it was built in 1900. Both Dundee and her sister ship Ethie, which also wrecked in the same year, were built by Inglis A. & J. Ltd. in Glasgow.
Evening Telegram, 27 December 1919 page 6.
Another Coastal Boat Wrecked.
STEAMER ASHORE AT NOGGIN’S ISLAND.
Since early yesterday afternoon one of our northern coastal steamers supposed to be the S. S. Dundee, has been ashore at Noggin’s Island, near Alexander Bay, B.B. Signals of distress were shown, but owing to the N.E. storm raging and ice conditions it was impossible to render immediate assistance. The Dundee was last reported as leaving Herring Neck at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 23rd, bound lo Port Union.
The first intimation that a steamer was ashore was conveyed in a message to Fred H. Ellis & Co., from Carmanville, saying:
“Steamer ashore at Noggin’s Island; supposed to be the S. S. Susu. Steamer wants assistance, but impossible to get to her by motor boat owing to slob ice.”
A later message to Mr. Ellis stated the steamer had two masts, and was probably one of the Reid Co.’s boats. On receipt of this message, Messrs. Ellis and Co. were assured that the stranded steamer could not be the Susu, as the latter ship has three masts, with funnel aft. Last night the Reid Co. had a message from Carmanville, corroborating the second one sent Mr. Ellis, saying that one of their steamers was ashore at Noggin’s Island, and torches and flareups were being burned calling for assistance. The message further stated that it was impossible to render any assistance from there, owing to the storm and the presence of slob ice. No particulars were received as to whether the passengers and crew had landed, but it is assumed that they have, as in the case of the stranding of the schooner Sordello, which went ashore only about three miles from Noggin’s Island. The Reids feel certain that the steamer mentioned is the S. S. Dundee, as the Clyde was reported from Badger’s Quay and the Home is at Lewisporte. The latter steamer has been ordered to leave Lewisporte this daylight to render any assistance that can be given.
Western Star, 31 December 1919 page 2.
S.S. DUNDEE LOST
Another steamer of the Reid Nfld. Co’s line was lost last week. “The s.s. Dundee, plying between Lewisporte and Port Union, went ashore at Godfrey’s Island, Alexander Bay, and became a total wreck. The passengers and crew were taken off by the Clyde on Saturday evening. Farther particulars have not yet cone to hand, but we presume the ship was lost during a big storm which raged along the East Coast the latter part of last week. The Dundee was a ship of the Ethie class, being about the same age and size. This is the second one of the Reid line to come to grief during the present month. We understand both ships were insured against total loss.