OTTAWA U106257

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Other Names

A.B. TAYLOR

The steam screw OTTAWA, originally built as A.B. TAYLOR, was a distinguished vessel in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This wooden propeller-driven passenger and package freight vessel navigated various waters, witnessing numerous events until its untimely destruction by fire in 1910.

The steam screw OTTAWA, officially registered as U.S. No. 106257, was constructed in 1884 by R.C. Brittain and master carpenter Ruben T. Rogers in Saugatuck, Michigan. Initially named A.B. TAYLOR, the vessel had the following specifications:

– **Length:** 106 feet
– **Beam:** 20 feet
– **Depth:** 7.8 feet
– **Gross Tonnage:** 104 tons
– **Net Tonnage:** 73 tons
– **Engine:** High-pressure, 150hp, 16″ x 20″ cylinder, 140rpm

The vessel was built for Rodgers & Bird of Saugatuck and was designed for both passenger and package freight services. It featured a single mast and a firebox boiler, essential for its propulsion.

Throughout its operational life, the vessel underwent several modifications and ownership changes:

– **1886:** Rebuilt to increase beam by 2 feet and added a passenger cabin.
– **1901, November 7:** Suffered a severe fire in Grand Haven, Michigan, which reduced it to the waterline.
– **1902:** Rebuilt and renamed OTTAWA on June 16, following substantial repairs.
– **1903 – 1906:** Passed through various owners, including the Indiana Harbor Navigation Co. and Theodore P. Ladne of Detroit.
– **1906:** Acquired by the Thousand Islands Steamboat Co., Cape Vincent, New York.

On December 14, 1910, the OTTAWA met its tragic end. While docked at Cape Vincent, New York, a fire broke out aboard the vessel. Despite efforts to save it, the OTTAWA was burned to the water’s edge. Fortunately, all eighteen persons aboard survived the disaster, but the vessel was declared a total loss. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but such incidents were not uncommon for wooden steamers of that era, given the risks associated with their construction and propulsion systems.

The OTTAWA had a storied career, marked by resilience and adaptation. Originally built for passenger and freight services, it underwent significant changes to meet the evolving demands of maritime transport. The vessel’s history is a testament to the dynamic nature of maritime commerce during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The steam screw OTTAWA’s demise on Lake Ontario is a poignant reminder of the inherent dangers of early steam-powered vessels. Despite its tragic end, the OTTAWA’s legacy lives on through historical records, reflecting a significant period in Great Lakes maritime history. The vessel’s story, from its construction as A.B. TAYLOR to its fiery destruction, underscores the challenges and triumphs of maritime navigation in a bygone era.