Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Alexandra
- Type: Wooden-Hulled Propeller Steamer
- Year Built: 1902
- Builder: Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada
- Dimensions: Length 97 ft (29.6 m); Beam 24.6 ft (7.5 m); Depth of hold 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 201 tons gross; 136 tons net
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Off Government Dock, Little Current, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: ~40 ft east of the dock; 9-12 m (30-40 ft) depth
- Official Number: 112153
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Alexandra was a two-deck wooden propeller-driven steamer designed for mixed freight and passenger service. Her enclosed deck accommodated livestock, wagons, and general cargo, while passenger spaces included a saloon, dining area, and crew quarters.
Description
The Alexandra, also reported as Alexandria in some sources, was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer built in 1902. It measured 97 feet in length, 24.6 feet in beam, and had a depth of 9 feet. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 201 tons and a net tonnage of 136 tons.
History
Early Career (1902–1924):
Launched in 1902, Alexandra began her service along New Brunswick’s Miramichi Bay, regularly running between Chatham, Escuminac, Newcastle, Baie du Vin, and other regional ports. Summer excursions were a notable highlight, often including music and dance.
Transfer to Great Lakes (1924–1927):
In 1924, the vessel was relocated to Ontario and operated routes between Little Current, Killarney, Cutler, and Gore Bay, providing inter-island connectivity and local freight transport on Georgian Bay.
Significant Incidents
Final Disposition:
While docked for winter at Little Current on 19 December 1927, a fire broke out aboard Alexandra. The blaze consumed much of the vessel’s structure, causing it to sink just 40 feet from the Government Dock. Although a total loss, no casualties were reported.
Final Disposition
The wreck is well known and has been visually observed and charted by divers. The exact date of initial rediscovery is unclear, but it is recognized by Ontario diving guides.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Depth: 9–12 m (30–40 ft)
Dive Access: Easily reached from shore or by small boat
Site Condition: Partially collapsed; portions of the hull and boiler remain
Visibility: Varies by season and traffic; generally fair
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Hazards: Sharp wreckage; silting
Legal Status: Subject to Ontario’s Heritage Act; no artifact removal permitted
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alexandra-c-112153″ title=”References & Links”]
The Alexandra‘s evolution from Atlantic steamer to Georgian Bay freighter encapsulates a transitional period in Canadian coastal navigation. Its accessible wreck offers both recreational divers and maritime historians a tangible connection to regional shipping heritage.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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