IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Wreck Name: ALEXANDRA (also known as ALEXANDRIA)

•Type: Sidewheeler Tugboat

•Location: Scarborough Bluffs, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: N43° 43.741’, W079° 12.678’

•Depth: Approximately 10 feet (3 meters)

•Length: 160 feet (48.8 meters)

•Condition: Wrecked and largely stripped; remains scattered on the lakebed.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ALEXANDRA was a wooden sidewheeler Tugboat built in 1866 in Hull, Quebec. Initially designed for towing barges between Montreal and Ottawa, the vessel was later Rebuilt in 1883 for passenger service. Its propulsion system consisted of a low-pressure engine with a single cylinder (33 inches in diameter, 120-inch stroke), sourced from earlier vessels SPEED (1846) and PHOENIX (1849). Over its service life, the ALEXANDRA underwent several modifications, including the addition of a second Deck and engine upgrades.

HISTORY

The ALEXANDRA’s story reflects its adaptability and importance in Canadian maritime history. Originally constructed for the Ottawa River Navigation Co., it primarily served as a Towboat. Its notable events include:

•1873: Major repairs and transition to service under Hepburn Bros. and the Ontario & Quebec Navigation Co.

•1880: Wrecked off the Scarborough Highlands, but Rebuilt at Cantin Shipyard in Montreal by 1883. It was renamed ALEXANDRIA and converted into a passenger vessel.

•1889: The vessel’s engine was replaced by Beauchamp & Sons in Sorel, Quebec.

•1890: Ran aground near Gananoque, Ontario, but was salvaged.

•Ownership Changes: Registered in Picton, Ontario, in 1901 under Arthur W. Hepburn; transferred to Bernard R. and James D. Hepburn in 1905, and later to the Ontario and Quebec Navigation Co.

On August 3, 1915, during a storm, the ALEXANDRA was wrecked near the Scarborough Bluffs while carrying sugar, vinegar, and canned potatoes bound for Toronto. The combination of fog and the storm caused the vessel to run aground on a sandbar, where it was battered by waves until it broke apart. Souvenir hunters later stripped the wreck of valuable materials.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the ALEXANDRA lies near the Scarborough Bluffs in Lake Ontario, at a shallow depth of approximately 10 feet. The site is accessible for exploration, though the structure has been heavily deteriorated and stripped over time.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are currently issued for this site. Divers should proceed cautiously, as the shallow depth and degraded condition may present hazards.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck location has been known since its loss in 1915 and remains a historical point of interest near the Scarborough Bluffs.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The ALEXANDRA’s remains rest in shallow water, making the site accessible to snorkelers and divers. The wreck is largely disintegrated, with scattered timbers and remnants of the paddlewheels visible on the lakebed. Its location near the Scarborough Bluffs provides an opportunity for historical exploration, though the site is fragile and has been affected by the passage of time and human activity.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships: Database of historical vessels, including the ALEXANDRA.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Records detailing shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of historical documents and records.

•Naval Marine Archive: Resource for maritime and naval history.

•Save Ontario Shipwrecks: Advocacy group dedicated to preserving Ontario’s underwater heritage.

CONCLUSION

The ALEXANDRA, later renamed ALEXANDRIA, exemplifies the resilience and evolution of 19th-century Great Lakes vessels. Its transitions from Towboat to passenger service and its eventual loss in 1915 highlight both the versatility of sidewheelers and the perils of maritime navigation on Lake Ontario. The wreck, located near Scarborough Bluffs, offers a glimpse into Canada’s rich maritime history and continues to draw interest from divers, historians, and preservationists.

KEYWORDS

ALEXANDRA, ALEXANDRIA, Sidewheeler Tug, Scarborough Bluffs, Lake Ontario, Maritime History, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Towboat, Passenger Service