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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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