Identification & Site Information

Vessel Name:

Maude

Year of Build:

1871

Built at:

Montreal, Quebec

Type:

Sidewheel Towboat

Hull Materials:

Wood

Number of Decks:

1

Dimensions:

•Length: 112 feet (34.14 meters)

•Beam: 22 feet (6.7 meters)

•Depth: 7 feet (2.13 meters)

Tonnage:

•Gross Tonnage: 269 tons

•Cushttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg-House Measure: 133 tons (pre-1877 records)

Owner:

Ottawa River Navigation Co.

Builder:

A. Cantin

Launch Date:

July 6, 1871

Vessel Type Description

The Maude was a wooden sidewheel Towboat designed for towing operations on the Ottawa River and other nearby waterways. With its robust construction by A. Cantin, a notable Montreal shipbuilder, the vessel embodied the ingenuity of its time, facilitating the movement of goods and larger vessels. Its cushttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg-house tonnage, a pre-standardization measure, reflected its operational capacity before later refinements in shipping regulations. The Maude’s design prioritized functionality, boasting a single Deck and sidewheel propulsion.

History

The Maude served under the Ottawa River Navigation Co., a pivotal organization in maritime transportation along one of Canada’s busiest river systems. Towboats like the Maude were integral to commerce, ensuring goods and passengers reached their destinations safely across the dynamic and sometimes perilous waters.

The vessel’s operations coincided with a period of significant growth in maritime trade, necessitating towboats capable of navigating crowded waterways. Cushttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg-house measurements recorded before 1877, such as the Maude’s 133 tons, were common before global standards harmonized how ships were assessed.

The Maude spent decades facilitating regional trade until tragedy struck in 1906.

Final Disposition

On September 27, 1906, the Maude collided with the Ottawan near Hudson, Quebec. The collision resulted in severe damage, causing the Maude to founder and sink. The incident claimed the lives of three crew members, underscoring the inherent dangers of navigating busy waterways during this era.

This loss highlights the vulnerabilities of 19th and early 20th-century maritime vessels, particularly wooden sidewheelers like the Maude, which lacked the technological advancements of later ships.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the wreck of the Maude are documented.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive database of ship records and regional maritime incidents.

•Quebec Historical Archives: Provides detailed regional records, including shipbuilding and maritime accidents.

Conclusion

The Maude was a valuable asset to the maritime industry of its time, representing the critical role of sidewheel towboats in the bustling trade along the Ottawa River. Its untimely end following a collision with the Ottawan in 1906 serves as a somber chapter in Canada’s maritime history. The vessel’s service life and tragic fate highlight the challenges faced by crews and ships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Keywords

•Maude

•Sidewheel Towboat

•Montreal Quebec

•Ottawa River

•Ottawa River Navigation Co.

•A. Cantin

•Hudson Quebec

•Maritime Collision

•19th-century maritime history

•Ottawan