IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Otter was a wooden sidewheel steamer constructed in 1840 at Portsmouth, Ontario, by Macpherson & Crane. With a gross tonnage of 155 tons, the Otter measured approximately 103 feet in length, 24 feet in width, and had a depth of 8 feet. This relatively small vessel was designed for operations in the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle, serving as a passenger and cargo steamer along this important transportation route.
HISTORY: #
The Otter began its service in 1840 under the ownership of Macpherson & Crane of Montreal. The vessel played a significant role in the regional transportation network, connecting major cities along the St. Lawrence River and Ottawa River. In 1852, ownership of the Otter transferred to Robertson Jones & Co., but it later returned to Macpherson & Crane in 1857. By 1866, the steamer was owned by S. Milligan of Ottawa, marking the final ownership change in its operational history.
Despite its utility, the Otter was not known for comfort or luxury. The Bytown “Packet” described the steamer as a small and uncomfortable light boat in 1846, reflecting the vessel’s basic accommodations and perhaps challenging conditions for passengers. Nonetheless, the Otter remained an essential part of the transportation infrastructure, facilitating the movement of people and goods between Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Otter met its final fate on May 11, 1870, when it was destroyed by fire in Ottawa. The specific details of the fire, including its exact location within the city, are not provided in the available information. The destruction of the Otter by fire brought an end to its nearly three decades of service in the region.
The loss of the Otter marked the end of an era for the vessel and highlighted the vulnerability of wooden steamers to fire, a common and often devastating hazard during the 19th century.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Otter 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 Otter and their role in the development of the region.
CONCLUSION: #
The Otter’s history as a sidewheel steamer in the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle reflects the critical role such vessels played in the development of transportation networks in the 19th century. Despite being described as uncomfortable, the Otter was a vital link in the movement of goods and passengers across a key regional route. The vessel’s destruction by fire in 1870 marked the end of its service and serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by wooden steamers during this period. The legacy of the Otter lives on as part of the rich maritime history of Ontario and Quebec.
KEYWORDS: #
Otter, Sidewheel Steamer, Portsmouth Ontario, Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, 19th-century maritime history, wooden shipwreck, fire.
