IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
- Vessel Name: OTTAWA
- Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven steamer
- Year Launched: 1872
- Location: St. Lawrence River, near Prescott, Ontario
- Final Location: Sank after a fire in 1881
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The OTTAWA was a wooden steamer, equipped with a propeller for propulsion. Steamers like the OTTAWA were the backbone of shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River during the late 19th century, serving both passenger and cargo routes. The wooden hulls of these vessels, however, were prone to fires, a common hazard on steam-powered ships of the time.
HISTORY: #
Built in 1872, the OTTAWA was a relatively new steamer when it met its fate in 1881. Operating on the busy shipping lanes of the St. Lawrence River, the vessel transported cargo and passengers between various points along the river. On the day of the disaster, the OTTAWA was anchored near Prescott, Ontario, when a fire broke out on board. The crew and passengers had little chance to save the vessel as the flames spread quickly through the wooden structure, ultimately causing the ship to sink in the St. Lawrence River.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The OTTAWA sank in the St. Lawrence River near Prescott after a fire broke out while it was anchored in 1881. There are no detailed records of significant loss of life, but the ship was lost completely to the fire before it sank.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The exact details of when the wreck of the OTTAWA was discovered are not readily available, but the general location near Prescott, Ontario, in the St. Lawrence River is known and has likely been explored by divers and researchers.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
- Obstructions: The wreck could potentially pose a hazard to navigation in the St. Lawrence River. Mariners should consult current navigation charts and NOTMARs for the latest updates on potential obstructions in the Prescott area.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
For more information or to explore further details, these resources may prove helpful:
