IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The CATARAQUI was a wooden sidewheel steamer, primarily used for passenger and freight transportation along the vital trade routes of the Rideau Canal and the Kingston-Ottawa-Grenville corridor. Its construction in 1836 marked it as one of the early steam-powered vessels on Lake Ontario, contributing significantly to the regional economy by facilitating the movement of people and goods.
HISTORY #
The CATARAQUI was launched in 1836 in Kingston, Ontario, at a time when steam-powered vessels were transforming transportation across the Great Lakes. This steamer measured approximately 105 feet in length with a beam of 28 feet, making it a robust and capable vessel for its time.
The CATARAQUI was equipped with an engine salvaged from another steamer, the THOMAS McKAY, which had been built in 1834 but was wrecked in the Rideau Canal in October 1835. The use of this salvaged engine symbolized the resourcefulness of early shipbuilders and operators in the region.
Operated by the Ottawa and Rideau Forwarding Co., the CATARAQUI played a crucial role in the transportation network along the Kingston-Ottawa-Grenville route via the Rideau Canal. The steamer also occasionally serviced the Kingston-Prescott route, further extending its reach and importance in the region’s trade and passenger transport.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Tragically, the CATARAQUI met its end on April 17, 1840, during a catastrophic fire that swept through Kingston’s waterfront. Known as the Great Fire of Kingston, this blaze destroyed much of the city’s waterfront infrastructure, including the CATARAQUI. The details surrounding the loss of life, if any, and the cargo it was carrying at the time are not well-documented. However, the total loss of the vessel marked a significant moment in Kingston’s maritime history.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners related to the CATARAQUI, as the vessel was completely destroyed in the 1840 fire, and no wreck remains to be located.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The site of the CATARAQUI’s destruction is well-known in historical records, tied to the location of the Great Fire of Kingston in 1840. The exact location along Kingston’s waterfront is documented, but no physical remnants of the vessel remain.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
Due to the complete destruction of the CATARAQUI during the fire, there are no physical remains to explore. The historical significance of the site, however, continues to be recognized as part of Kingston’s rich maritime history.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List: Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- Carf – The Great Fire: The Great Fire of Kingston
KEYWORDS #
CATARAQUI, Sidewheel Steamer, Great Fire of Kingston, Kingston Waterfront, Maritime History, Rideau Canal, Great Lakes, 19th Century Steamships
ANALYSIS #
The CATARAQUI’s history is a testament to the early days of steam-powered navigation on Lake Ontario and the surrounding waterways. The vessel’s role in facilitating transportation along critical trade routes underscores its importance in the region’s development during the 19th century. The loss of the CATARAQUI in the Great Fire of Kingston marked a significant moment in the city’s history, symbolizing both the vulnerabilities and the resilience of early maritime commerce. While no physical remnants of the CATARAQUI remain, its story continues to be an important chapter in the history of Kingston and the Great Lakes. The vessel’s connection to the salvaged engine from the THOMAS McKAY adds an additional layer of intrigue, highlighting the resourceful practices of early shipbuilders
