Identification & Site Information

•Name: Otter

•Year of Build: 1840

•Built at: Portsmouth, Ontario

•Type: Sidewheel Steamer

•Hull Material: Wood

•Number of Decks: 1

•Original Owner: Macpherson & Crane, Montreal

•Tonnage (Gross): 155 tons

•Dimensions:

•Length: Approximately 103 feet (31.4 metres)

•Beam: 24 feet (7.3 metres)

•Depth: 8 feet (2.4 metres)

Vessel Type Description

The Otter was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, designed to transport passengers and cargo across the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle, a vital transportation corridor in the 19th century. While relatively small for its type, the Otter was integral to connecting urban and rural communities, serving as a functional rather than luxurious vessel.

History

Construction and Early Service

The Otter was constructed in 1840 by Macpherson & Crane at Portsmouth, Ontario. As a regional workhorse, the vessel operated on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, facilitating trade and travel between key hubs in Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston.

Ownership Timeline

•1840-1852: Operated under its original owners, Macpherson & Crane, Montreal.

•1852-1857: Owned by Robertson Jones & Co.

•1857-1866: Returned to Macpherson & Crane.

•1866-1870: Owned by S. Milligan of Ottawa.

Operational Challenges

The Otter was described as a “small and uncomfortable light boat” by the Bytown Packet in 1846, reflecting its basic facilities and the often challenging travel conditions of the time. Despite this, it remained a crucial vessel for the movement of goods and passengers in the region.

Final Years and Loss

On May 11, 1870, the Otter met its end when a fire destroyed the vessel in Ottawa. While the exact circumstances of the fire are unclear, it underscores the vulnerability of wooden steamers to fire—a common hazard in the 19th century. The destruction marked the conclusion of a nearly 30-year service history.

Final Disposition

The Otter was entirely destroyed by fire in Ottawa in 1870. No known remnants of the vessel remain, making its legacy one preserved through historical records and accounts rather than physical artifacts.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational hazards associated with the Otter have been identified.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Otter reflects the critical role of sidewheel steamers in 19th-century transportation networks. It symbolizes a period when wooden vessels connected growing cities and played a pivotal role in regional economic and social development. Its destruction by fire highlights the risks faced by these vessels and the challenges of operating in an era before modern fire safety standards.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: For detailed records on vessels operating in Great Lakes and surrounding waterways.

•Ottawa Historical Archives: Provides further insights into the Otter and similar vessels in the region.

Conclusion

The Otter’s history illustrates the evolution of regional transportation in the 19th century, from its functional role in the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston corridor to its tragic end by fire. Although it was not a luxurious vessel, its contributions to trade and travel underline the importance of such steamers in shaping the economic and social fabric of Ontario and Quebec during this time.

Keywords

•#Otter

•#SidewheelSteamer

•#19thCenturyMaritimeHistory

•#MontrealOttawaKingston

•#WoodenShip

•#MaritimeHistory

•#OntarioQuebecConnections

•#PortsmouthOntario

•#FireHazards

•#StLawrenceRiver