Shotline Diving

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Aletha C 107748 (Quinte)

Explore the history of the Aletha, formerly known as Quinte, and its collision with the steamer Hero near Kingston, Ontario.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Aletha (formerly Quinte)
  • Type: Steamer
  • Year Built: 1901
  • Builder: Davis Dry Dock Co., Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Dimensions: 107.40 ft (32.7 m); Beam: 19.70 ft (6.0 m); Depth of hold: 5.50 ft (1.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 171 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 1.7 m / 5.5 ft
  • Location: Near Kingston, Ontario
  • Coordinates: 43°56'29.0"N 76°50'43.0"W
  • Official Number: 107748
  • Original Owners: Quinte Navigation Co.
  • Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Steamer Aletha, originally named Quinte, was a wooden-hulled passenger vessel built for service in the St. Lawrence River and Bay of Quinte.

Description

The Aletha was constructed in 1901 and had a length of 107.40 feet, a beam of 19.70 feet, and a depth of 5.50 feet. It was powered by a steam screw engine with a capacity of 25 horsepower.

History

The Aletha was first registered in Kingston in 1901 and was acquired by the Quinte Navigation Co. in 1909. It served primarily as a passenger vessel and briefly as a ferry during World War I. The vessel underwent renovations in 1902, adding staterooms and electric lighting, before being laid up in 1916 and ultimately broken up in 1919.

Significant Incidents

  • Collision with the steamer Hero near Kingston, Ontario, attributed to the Quinte’s officers attempting to dock ahead of the Hero.
  • No injuries reported; passengers were transferred to the Hero for continued travel.

Final Disposition

The Aletha was decommissioned and broken up in 1919, marking the end of its operational history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Aletha is confirmed, but specific dive conditions and accessibility details are not provided.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”aletha-c-107748-quinte” title=”References & Links”]

The collision between the Hero and the Quinte highlights the competitive and sometimes hazardous nature of maritime operations in the late 19th century. Both vessels have left a lasting legacy in Canadian maritime history.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

INCIDENT SUMMARY: COLLISION OF STEAMER HERO AND STEAMER QUINTE

A gala day near Trenton, Ont. Approximately 1907
Stedman Bros. Limited, Brantford (publisher)
Picture Lake steamers Steamships
City, town, townshipPort Hope
County Northumberland (Ont. : County)
Province state Ontario
Country Canada

Date of Incident: Not specified

Location: Near Kingston, Ontario (Coordinates: 43°56’29.0″N 76°50’43.0″W)

Vessels Involved:

  • Steamer Hero
  • Steamer Quinte

Outcome: Collision causing damage to the Quinte; passengers transferred to the Hero; no injuries reported.

INCIDENT DESCRIPTION

On a Thursday morning, as reported by the Gananoque Reporter, a collision occurred between the steamer Hero and the steamer Quinte near Kingston, Ontario. The collision was attributed to the Quinte’s officers, who attempted to cross the bow of the Hero in an effort to dock first. This maneuver resulted in the Hero puncturing a hole in the Quinte’s side.

The Quinte was carrying approximately 200 excursionists bound for Kingston. Despite the damage, there were no injuries. Passengers were promptly transferred to the Hero, allowing them to continue their journey with minimal disruption.

VESSEL BACKGROUNDS

Steamer Aletha (formerly Quinte)

  • Build Date: 1901
  • Built By: Davis Dry Dock Co., Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Specifications:
    • Length: 107.40 feet (32.7 meters)
    • Beam: 19.70 feet (6.0 meters)
    • Depth: 5.50 feet (1.7 meters)
    • Gross Tonnage: 171 tons
  • Propulsion: Steam screw engine, 25 horsepower
  • Construction: Wooden hull, carvel type with a round stern

Historical Notes:

The Aletha was first registered in Kingston in 1901 and later acquired by the Quinte Navigation Co. in 1909. It served as a passenger vessel in the St. Lawrence River and Bay of Quinte, and briefly as a ferry during World War I. The vessel underwent a renovation in 1902, adding staterooms and electric lighting, before being laid up in 1916 and broken up in 1919.

Steamer Hero

  • Build Date: 1878
  • Built By: Beauchemin & Fils, Sorel, Quebec, Canada
  • Specifications:
    • Length: 126.50 feet (38.5 meters)
    • Beam: 29.40 feet (9.0 meters)
    • Depth: 6.80 feet (2.1 meters)
  • Propulsion: Paddlewheels, low-pressure engine, 60 horsepower
  • Construction: Wooden hull, carvel type with a round stern

Historical Notes:

The Hero, a paddlewheel steamer, was known for its speed and reliability in passenger and cargo transport. It was first registered in Kingston in 1884. The vessel was destroyed by fire in 1901, marking the end of its service.

SITE ORIENTATION AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The collision occurred near the coordinates 43°56’29.0″N 76°50’43.0″W, close to Kingston, Ontario. This area was a hub of maritime activity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The competitive nature of maritime operations during this period is evident in the actions of the Quinte’s officers, whose attempt to dock ahead of the Hero led to the accident. Despite the incident, the swift response ensured that passengers could safely continue their journey aboard the Hero.

ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION

  • The Aletha (Quinte) had a diverse operational history, serving as a passenger vessel and ferry before being decommissioned and broken up in 1919.
  • The Hero was emblematic of the paddlewheel steamers of its era, known for their role in regional transport and economic development. Despite its destruction by fire in 1901, the Hero remains an important part of Canadian maritime history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

CONCLUSION

The collision between the Hero and the Quinte underscores the dynamic and occasionally hazardous nature of Great Lakes maritime operations in the late 19th century. While the incident caused significant damage to the Quinte, the absence of injuries and the quick resolution highlight the resilience and adaptability of the crews involved. Both vessels, with their storied histories, remain integral to the legacy of Canadian maritime heritage.

TAGS

#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #MaritimeHistory #LakeOntario #SteamerHero #SteamerQuinte #19thCenturyShipping #KingstonOntario

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