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- Vessel Name: Mink
- Year of Build: 1896
- Built at: Gordon Creek, Quebec
- Type: Sidewheel Steamboat / Alligator Warp Tug
- Hull Materials: Wood
- Number of Decks: 1
- Original Owner: [Not specified]
- Length: 37 feet (original); 51 feet (after 1911 rebuild)
- Beam: [Not specified]
- Tonnage (Gross): 14 tons
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The Mink was a small wooden sidewheel steamboat constructed in 1896 at Gordon Creek, Quebec. With a gross tonnage of just 14 tons and an original length of 37 feet, the vessel was relatively small but played a crucial role in the operations on the Ottawa River. In 1911, the Mink underwent a significant rebuild in Aylmer, Quebec, extending its length to 51 feet and enhancing its capabilities.
One of the most unique aspects of the Mink was its classification as an alligator warp tug. This type of vessel was equipped to operate both on water and on land, making it exceptionally versatile for logging operations. The Mink’s primary role involved working on the Quyon log boom on Lake Deschenes, where it was instrumental in managing and transporting logs.
HISTORY: #
The Mink was an essential part of the Ottawa River’s maritime and logging operations. Its ability to operate on both land and water made it particularly valuable for tasks that required moving logs through challenging terrain. The rebuild in 1911 further enhanced its functionality, allowing it to continue serving the logging industry for several more decades.
The Mink was deeply integrated into the logging operations on Lake Deschenes, where it worked on the Quyon log boom. This log boom was crucial for controlling and guiding logs downriver, and the Mink’s capabilities made it an indispensable asset in these operations.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
Tragedy struck on October 31, 1945, when a sudden and severe storm hit the area. The Mink, which was tied to the log boom at the time, was unable to free itself and ultimately foundered in Lake Deschenes near Ottawa. The vessel sank, marking the end of its long and storied history on the Ottawa River.
The sinking of the Mink highlights the dangers that vessels faced in unpredictable weather conditions, particularly when operating in complex and challenging environments like those encountered in the logging industry. The loss of the Mink was a significant event, closing the chapter on a vessel that had served its community for nearly half a century.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Mink 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 Logging Archives: For further research into the role of vessels like the Mink in the logging industry.
CONCLUSION: #
The Mink’s history as an alligator warp tug on the Ottawa River is a testament to the ingenuity and adaptability of the maritime industry. Despite its small size, the Mink played a vital role in the logging operations of Lake Deschenes, demonstrating the importance of specialized vessels in the economic development of the region. The tragic end of the Mink during a storm in 1945 serves as a poignant reminder of the risks inherent in riverine operations and the enduring legacy of these hardworking vessels.
KEYWORDS: #
Mink, Sidewheel Steamboat, Alligator Warp Tug, Gordon Creek Quebec, Aylmer Quebec, Quyon Log Boom, Lake Deschenes, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck.
