ALEX FRASER

3 min read

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The Alex Fraser was a wooden sidewheel steamboat constructed in 1890 at Pembroke, Ontario. With an original length of 140 feet and a gross tonnage of 320 tons, the vessel was primarily used in the timber industry, towing logs between Fort William and Lower Allumette Lake. Sidewheel steamboats like the Alex Fraser were integral to the logging operations in the Ottawa River region, providing the necessary power to move large quantities of timber along the waterways.

HISTORY: #

The Alex Fraser began its service in 1890, playing a critical role in the transportation of logs along the Ottawa River. The vessel’s sidewheel design made it well-suited for towing operations, and it became a key asset in the region’s thriving timber industry.

In 1903, the Alex Fraser faced a significant challenge when it struck a rocky obstruction across from Murphy’s Wharf, causing it to sink. However, the vessel was successfully salvaged in 1904, allowing it to return to service. This incident highlighted the hazards of navigating the often treacherous waters of the Ottawa River, but it also demonstrated the resilience and value of the Alex Fraser.

In 1915, the steamboat was moved to Lake Deschenes to continue its log-towing duties, showcasing its adaptability and importance to the industry. The following year, in 1916, the Alex Fraser underwent a significant rebuild in Quyon, Quebec. This rebuild altered the vessel’s dimensions, reducing its length to 129 feet but increasing its tonnage to 344 tons. These modifications were aimed at enhancing the steamboat’s performance and extending its operational life.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

After several decades of service, the Alex Fraser was eventually dismantled in 1942. The iron components of the vessel were sold, while the wooden structure was left behind. The remains of the Alex Fraser can still be found buried in the mud near the Quyon boom, a testament to the vessel’s long and storied history in the region’s maritime and logging industries.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Alex Fraser 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 Timber Trade Archives: For further research into the timber industry and the role of vessels like the Alex Fraser.

CONCLUSION: #

The Alex Fraser was a significant vessel in the history of the Ottawa River’s timber industry. Its decades of service, despite the challenges it faced, underscore the importance of sidewheel steamboats in the region’s economic development. The vessel’s final fate, with its remnants still buried near the Quyon boom, serves as a poignant reminder of the era of steam-powered river transport and the critical role these vessels played in Canada’s maritime history.