Shipwreck Report: Propeller Alexander Watson (1870)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Alexander Watson (also seen as ALEXANDER WATSON)
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None (Canadian vessel)
• Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven Steamer
• Built: 1870, by McDonnell, Wallaceburg, Ontario
• Owners at Time of Loss: Captain Weston & A. Watson (Wallaceburg, Ontario)
• Specifications  Length: 90 feet (27.4 metres) Beam: 24 feet (7.3 metres) Depth: 6 feet (1.8 metres)
• Tonnage: 64 tons

Operational History

The Alexander Watson was a small wooden propeller-driven vessel built in Wallaceburg, Ontario, in 1870. She was primarily used for transporting cordwood and other light cargo along the St. Clair River and surrounding waterways, supporting local trade and commerce.

Home Port: Wallaceburg, Ontario  Wallaceburg was a key shipbuilding and lumber trade centre, making it a logical home for a vessel carrying cordwood.

Primary Route: Operated between Wallaceburg, Lambton County, and other points along the St. Clair River. Likely supplied wood for fuel to steam-powered vessels and businesses in Ontario and Michigan.

Final Voyage and Loss

• Date of Loss: June 27, 1871
• Location: Lambton, Ontario (Baby’s Point also mentioned), St. Clair River
• Cause: Fire from an overheated boiler
• Cargo at Loss: Cordwood
• Loss of Life: None

Incident Details

While traveling abreast of Lambton, the Alexander Watson’s boiler overheated, causing a fire to break out onboard.  The crew managed to bring the burning vessel to the dock, where they escaped safely. However, the ship broke loose from its moorings and drifted downriver to Walpole Island, where it burned to the waterline and sank. No casualties were reported, but the vessel was a Total Loss.

Legacy and Significance

Role in the St. Clair River’s Lumber Trade  The Alexander Watson was one of many wooden propeller-driven vessels that supplied cordwood, a crucial fuel source for steam-powered ships, factories, and homes. Her loss highlights the hazards of early steam technology, where boiler overheating and fires were common risks.

Connection to Wallaceburg’s Maritime Industry Wallaceburg, Ontario, was a shipbuilding hub during the late 19th century, producing numerous small vessels like the Alexander Watson for local and regional trade. The ship’s construction reflects the local expertise in building workhorse vessels for the Great Lakes trade network.

Maritime Hazards of the St. Clair River The St. Clair River, a narrow and fast-moving waterway connecting Lake Huron to Lake St. Clair, has been the site of numerous shipwrecks, groundings, and fires. The Alexander Watson’s loss is one of many early Steamship disasters that shaped maritime safety regulations in the region.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Walpole Island, in the St. Clair River, southwestern Ontario.
• Current Condition: The vessel burned completely before sinking, so wreckage is likely minimal. Remnants may be buried in the riverbed or scattered by currents.
• Potential for Discovery:  No known dives or surveys have located remains of the Alexander Watson. Future sonar scans or underwater archaeology could investigate historical shipwreck sites in the area.

Further Research and Resources

• Wallaceburg & District Museum  https://www.wallaceburgmuseum.com May hold records of local shipbuilding history, including the Alexander Watson.
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston https://www.marmuseum.ca Contains archives on 19th-century Canadian shipbuilding and wrecks.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca A searchable database of shipwreck records, newspapers, and historical documents.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society Focuses on preserving and documenting historical shipwrecks, including lesser-known vessels.

Conclusion

The Alexander Watson (1870) was a small but important vessel serving the cordwood trade along the St. Clair River. Her destruction by fire in 1871 underscores the dangers of early Steamship operations. Though no lives were lost, the incident highlights the risks of overheating boilers and the challenges of firefighting on wooden vessels. While no known wreckage remains, the Alexander Watson’s story is a reminder of the many lost workboats that once fueled the Great Lakes economy.