Shipwreck Report: Thomas McKay

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Thomas McKay

•Type: Steamboat

•Year Built: 1834

•Builder: Not specifically mentioned in records

•Hull Materials: Wood

•Dimensions:

•Length: 105 feet (32 meters)

•Breadth: 28 feet 6 inches (8.7 meters)

•Depth of Hold: 6 feet 9 inches (2 meters)

•Propulsion: 25-horsepower steam engine

•Decks: 1

•Final Location: Rideau Canal, near Merrickville, Ontario

•Owner: Not explicitly identified in historical records

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Thomas McKay was a purpose-built Steamboat designed for the newly completed Rideau Canal, a critical waterway connecting Ottawa and Kingston. With its wooden Hull and compact design, the vessel was tailored to navigate the canal’s locks and narrow channels. Passenger accommodations included basic berths and a promenade Deck, described by the Kingston Whig as offering “plain but comfortable” travel. Its modest 25-horsepower steam engine was well-suited for the canal’s demands, but its lack of power relative to open-water vessels reflected its intended use for inland routes.

HISTORY

The Thomas McKay is notable for being one of the first steamboats built to utilize the newly operational Rideau Canal, a vital artery for commerce and passenger travel in early 19th-century Canada. Named after Thomas McKay, a prominent industrialist and contractor involved in constructing parts of the Rideau Canal, the vessel embodied the optimism surrounding this engineering marvel.

•Launch and Early Service:

Though originally slated for launch on May 31, 1834, delays pushed its maiden voyage to April 1834. The Thomas McKay serviced routes between Kingston, Bytown (modern Ottawa), and intermediate points along the canal.

•Challenges and Risks:

In November 1834, the vessel was caught by an early winter storm and frozen into Bytown, an early demonstration of the operational hazards posed by Canada’s climate. Despite its utility, the Thomas McKay faced considerable risks navigating a waterway that was still in its infancy, with submerged stumps and uncharted hazards lurking beneath the surface.

•Catastrophic End:

On October 21, 1835, disaster struck near Merrickville, Ontario. While navigating the canal, the Thomas McKay hit a submerged stump. The impact caused irreparable damage, leading the vessel to sink. While records do not detail casualties, the wreck signaled the end of the Steamboat’s brief but significant career.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Thomas McKay sank near Merrickville in 1835 after striking a submerged stump. The vessel was not recovered, but its engine was salvaged and repurposed for use in the construction of the Steamer Cataraqui. This act of resource conservation was common in the 19th century, reflecting the value of machinery in early Canadian shipbuilding.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) for the Thomas McKay wreck. However, the Rideau Canal remains a heritage site under the stewardship of Parks Canada, and its waterways are preserved for historical and navigational purposes.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck of the Thomas McKay is believed to remain in the Rideau Canal near Merrickville. Its precise condition is unknown, but as a wooden vessel submerged since 1835, it is likely in a state of advanced decay. The site has not been extensively surveyed or excavated and may warrant further archaeological investigation to uncover more about the early years of canal navigation.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Rideau Canal Archives:

Historical documentation and records related to early vessel operations.

•Kingston Whig:

Contemporary accounts of the Thomas McKay’s construction, service, and sinking.

•Parks Canada:

Information on the Rideau Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

CONCLUSION

The Thomas McKay represents a pivotal chapter in Canadian maritime and engineering history. As one of the first vessels to traverse the Rideau Canal, it helped inaugurate a new era of inland transportation. While its operational life was short, the vessel’s story highlights the challenges and risks faced by early steamboats navigating untested waters. Today, its wreck near Merrickville serves as a silent testament to the early days of Canada’s canal-building legacy.

KEYWORDS

•Thomas McKay

•Steamboat

•Rideau Canal

•Merrickville

•Early Canadian shipwrecks

•19th-century maritime history

•Wooden Steamboat

•Bytown

•Kingston Whig

•UNESCO World Heritage Site