VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Lady Colborne was a wooden sidewheel steamboat built in 1833 in Aylmer, Quebec, by W. Grant. With dimensions of approximately 100 feet in length and 34 feet in width, the vessel was a significant and prominent part of the regional maritime landscape of its time. The Lady Colborne was owned by Blackburn & Grant and played an important role in transportation and commerce on the Ottawa River and its surrounding waterways.
HISTORY: #
The Lady Colborne was launched on October 30, 1832, and quickly became an integral vessel for the transportation needs of the region. Sidewheel steamboats like the Lady Colborne were crucial for moving passengers and goods along the Ottawa River, providing a reliable and efficient mode of transport in an era when waterways were the main arteries of commerce.
However, the Lady Colborne’s service was tragically cut short by a devastating fire while it was docked at the Aylmer wharf. The fire posed an immediate threat not only to the vessel but also to the nearby village of Aylmer. In a desperate attempt to prevent the fire from spreading and causing further destruction to the village, the decision was made to set the vessel adrift.
As the Lady Colborne floated away, it eventually drifted into Britannia Bay. Despite the efforts to mitigate the damage, the vessel sank in the bay, marking the end of its service. The fire that consumed the Lady Colborne resulted in the total loss of the vessel, highlighting the ever-present risks that steamboats faced from onboard fires.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Lady Colborne sank in Britannia Bay after being set adrift to prevent a catastrophic fire from spreading to the village of Aylmer. The coordinates of the sinking are approximately (45.35938066828502, -75.8276120047415). The vessel now rests at the bottom of Britannia Bay, where it serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by early steamboats and the drastic measures sometimes necessary to protect lives and property.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Lady Colborne wreck have been identified.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Provides records and historical accounts related to the vessels of the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways.
- Ottawa River Historical Society: For further research into the regional maritime history and the role of vessels like the Lady Colborne.
CONCLUSION: #
The Lady Colborne’s tragic end by fire and subsequent sinking in Britannia Bay underscores the dangers that early steamboats faced. The decision to set the vessel adrift in order to save the nearby village from destruction was a critical, albeit desperate, measure. The loss of the Lady Colborne is a poignant chapter in the history of the Ottawa River’s maritime activities, serving as a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness of the people who navigated and relied on these early vessels.
KEYWORDS: #
Lady Colborne, Sidewheel Steamboat, Aylmer Quebec, Britannia Bay, Blackburn & Grant, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck, Ottawa River.
