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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
SITE DESCRIPTION: #
The GRECIAN was a sidewheel steamer constructed in 1864 at Montreal, Quebec, by the Canadian Inland Steam Navigation Company. This iron-hulled vessel was designed for navigating the often treacherous waters of the St. Lawrence River, with two decks and a single mast supporting its structure. The ship was propelled by a powerful engine built by the Eagle Foundry in Montreal, boasting dimensions of 45 x 120 inches, which was considerable for its time.
VESSEL DESCRIPTION: #
The GRECIAN measured 177 feet in length, had a beam of 27 feet, and a depth of 11 feet, with a gross tonnage of 496 under the old measurement system. The vessel was equipped with a single sidewheel for propulsion, a common feature in steamers of that era. Built by A. Cantin, with Livingston serving as the master carpenter, the GRECIAN was considered a significant vessel for the Canadian Inland Steam Navigation Company, operating primarily out of Montreal.
HISTORY & FINAL INCIDENT: #
The GRECIAN had a relatively short but eventful operational life. Launched on October 28, 1863, and officially registered in Montreal on June 2, 1864, the vessel quickly became a regular sight on the St. Lawrence River. However, the GRECIAN’s history was marred by several accidents:
- On July 5, 1867, the GRECIAN was stranded in the Lachine Rapids, a notoriously dangerous area of the St. Lawrence River.
- Just over a year later, on July 16, 1868, the vessel found itself stranded again, this time in the Cascades Rapids.
- The ship’s misfortunes continued when it was stranded in the Galops Rapids on October 30, 1868.
The GRECIAN’s final voyage came on May 18, 1869, when the ship was navigating the Split Rock (Cascades) Rapids. A failure in the steering gear led to the vessel becoming uncontrollable, ultimately resulting in the steamer wrecking on the rapids. This tragic event claimed the life of one person on board. Despite efforts to refloat the ship later in September 1869, these attempts were unsuccessful, and the GRECIAN was lost to the river.
DIVE SITE EXPERIENCE: #
As of the last reports, the exact location and accessibility of the GRECIAN’s wreck are not widely documented, making it a potential site of interest for historical divers and maritime archaeologists. The site would offer a unique glimpse into 19th-century shipbuilding and the challenges of early steam navigation on the St. Lawrence River.
ANALYSIS: #
The wreck of the GRECIAN serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by early steamships on the St. Lawrence River. The series of mishaps leading up to its final wreck highlights the difficulties of navigating this treacherous waterway, even for vessels that were considered advanced for their time. The loss of the GRECIAN also underscores the vulnerability of 19th-century maritime technology, where a single mechanical failure could lead to disaster.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Extensive database of shipwrecks and maritime events in the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed information on shipwrecks across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
KEYWORDS: #
GRECIAN, Split Rock Rapids, Cascades Rapids, St. Lawrence River, Shipwreck, Sidewheel Steamer, Canadian Inland Steam Navigation Company.
