IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Comet was a 99-foot passenger vessel designed to provide transportation across Lake Temiskaming. With its spacious design and screw propulsion system, it offered reliable and comfortable journeys for passengers, playing a crucial role in connecting the communities along the lake’s shores. The vessel was an important part of the region’s transportation infrastructure, facilitating both the movement of people and the exchange of goods.
HISTORY: #
Built in 1900 at Opemican, Quebec, the Comet quickly became a key asset in the transportation network of Lake Temiskaming. Owned by A. Lumsden of Ottawa, the vessel served the local communities by offering a dependable means of travel across the lake. The Comet’s operations were vital for the economic activities in the region, supporting the development of trade and communication between the towns and villages along the lake.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
On February 8, 1902, the Comet met a tragic end when it was consumed by a devastating fire at the Opinicon Narrows on Lake Temiskaming. The fire completely destroyed the vessel, leaving only charred remnants. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but the incident marked the end of the Comet’s service and its contribution to the region’s maritime history. The remains of the Comet now rest at the bottom of Lake Temiskaming, serving as a silent witness to its once important role.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
- Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners are associated with the Comet wreck site.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
- Discovery: The wreck of the Comet has not been specifically located or thoroughly explored. The general area of its final resting place is known to be at the Opinicon Narrows in Lake Temiskaming.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Lake Temiskaming Historical Society
PICTURES: #
(Include any available images related to the Comet or similar vessels from the period, as specific images of the Comet may not exist.)
KEYWORDS: #
Comet, Lake Temiskaming, Opemican Quebec, passenger vessel, maritime history, shipwreck, A. Lumsden, Opinicon Narrows, early 20th century.
CONCLUSION: #
The Comet was more than just a vessel; it was a lifeline for the communities around Lake Temiskaming, facilitating transportation and commerce in the region. Its tragic end in 1902, just two years after it began service, underscores the risks faced by early 20th-century vessels. While its remains lie beneath the waters of Lake Temiskaming, the legacy of the Comet lives on in the memories of those who relied on it and in the historical records that document its story.
