IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Carminia, originally built in 1889 by Louis Braulac in Sorel, Quebec, was a wooden screw steamer with a single deck and a round stern. It was powered by a steam screw engine of the high and low-pressure double compound type, which was built by R.O. Bellerose the same year. The engine had a horsepower rating of 17, making it suitable for navigating the inland waters of Quebec and Ontario. The vessel’s relatively modest size and tonnage made it ideal for transporting goods and passengers along the waterways of eastern Canada.
HISTORY: #
The Carminia had a varied and somewhat tragic history, marked by multiple registrations and a change of ownership over its operational life. The vessel was first registered in Montreal, Quebec, in 1889, shortly after its construction. In 1890, the Carminia was owned by W.H. Glendenning, and by October 1891, its registry was closed in Montreal.
The vessel was then purchased by Thomas S. Carman of Belleville, Ontario, who renamed it Carmana. The Carminia(or Carmana) was re-registered in Belleville on July 23, 1892, with an official Canadian registration number of 92559. Despite its new name and owner, the vessel’s dimensions and engine specifications remained unchanged.
Unfortunately, the Carminia met its demise when it was destroyed by fire in the Bay of Quinte, near Belleville, in September or October 1902. The fire marked the end of the vessel’s service, and its registration was officially closed on November 26, 1914, indicating that the vessel had been out of operation for some time before being formally removed from the registry. The exact circumstances of the fire remain unclear, but it effectively ended the Carminia‘s journey on Lake Ontario.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Carminia was destroyed by fire in the Bay of Quinte in September or October 1902. The fire resulted in the complete loss of the vessel, with the registry being closed in November 1914. The Carminia‘s wreckage likely rests somewhere along the north shore of the Bay of Quinte, a quiet end to a vessel that once served the waters of Quebec and Ontario.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Carminia wreck site. Mariners and divers should be aware of potential underwater hazards when navigating the waters of the Bay of Quinte.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The exact location of the Carminia wreck is not widely documented. It is presumed to rest along the north shore of the Bay of Quinte, where it burned and sank in 1902.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Detailed information on shipwrecks and vessel histories in the Great Lakes region.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records on the Carminia and other vessels of its time.
KEYWORDS: #
Carminia, Dan, Carmana, Wooden Screw Steamer, Lake Ontario Shipwreck, Bay of Quinte, 1902 Shipwreck, Canadian Maritime History.
ANALYSIS: #
The story of the Carminia reflects the challenges faced by small steam-powered vessels operating on the Great Lakes and nearby waterways during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From its construction and initial registration to its unfortunate destruction by fire, the Carminia‘s history is a poignant reminder of the perils that these vessels and their crews encountered. The vessel’s final moments, marked by the fire in the Bay of Quinte, add a layer of intrigue to its legacy, making it a subject of interest for maritime historians and shipwreck enthusiasts.
