IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Beaver was a wooden paddlewheel steamboat that operated primarily within the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle. Measuring 103 feet in length, the vessel was constructed based on the “fiddleboat plan,” a design featuring a recessed area in the middle of the vessel to accommodate the paddle wheels. This unique design was intended to enhance the efficiency and maneuverability of the steamboat as it navigated the waters of the region.
HISTORY: #
The Beaver served as a vital part of the transportation network in the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle, a key route for the movement of passengers and goods during the 19th century. The steamboat’s design allowed it to navigate the rivers and lakes of the region effectively, making it an important vessel for both commercial and passenger transport.
Throughout its operational history, the Beaver encountered several significant incidents. The first occurred in September 1844 when the steamboat sank in Merrickville, a town located along the Rideau Canal. Despite this setback, the vessel was recovered and returned to service. However, the Beaver’s troubles did not end there. In 1854, it sank again, this time in Mud Lake, another waterway along its route.
Despite these incidents, the Beaver continued to operate until its final demise in 1868. The vessel was destroyed by fire somewhere near Ottawa. The exact location of the fire is not detailed in the available information, but the destruction of the Beaver marked the end of its service in the region.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Beaver was destroyed by fire in 1868 near Ottawa, marking the end of its operational life. The exact details of the fire, including the precise location where it occurred, are not provided in the available information. The vessel’s loss serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by wooden paddlewheel steamboats during this era, particularly the ever-present threat of fire.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Beaver 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 Historical Archives: For further research into the history of steamers like the Beaver and their impact on regional transportation.
CONCLUSION: #
The Beaver’s history as a paddlewheel steamboat in the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle reflects the critical role these vessels played in the development of transportation and commerce during the 19th century. Despite facing multiple incidents, including sinking twice before its final destruction by fire in 1868, the Beaver remained a vital part of the region’s maritime heritage. The vessel’s design and service life highlight the challenges and innovations of the time, and its ultimate loss serves as a testament to the inherent risks of early steam navigation.
KEYWORDS: #
Beaver, Paddlewheel Steamboat, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Fiddleboat Plan, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck, fire, Merrickville, Mud Lake.
