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.

ALEXANDRA (1902)
(Also reported as ALEXANDRIA in some sources)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Vessel Name: Alexandra
• Alternate Name: Alexandria
• Type: Wooden-Hulled Propeller Steamer
• Builder: Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada
• Year Built: 1902
• Specifications:
  • Length: 97 ft (29.6 m)
  • Beam: 24.6 ft (7.5 m)
  • Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 201 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 136 tons
  • Decks: 2
• Final Location: Off Government Dock, Little Current, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• Coordinates: ~40 ft east of the dock; 9–12 m (30–40 ft) depth
• Date Lost: 19 December 1927
• Cause: Fire during winter lay-up

Vessel Type Description

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.

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.

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 ft from the Government Dock. Although a total loss, no casualties were reported.

Located By & Date Found

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.

Notmars & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners pertain to this site. The location is adjacent to a harbour structure and may occasionally be referenced in local mooring or small craft navigation advisories.

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

• Great Lakes Ships
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• C-3 Register of Wrecks – Inland Waters

Conclusion

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.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Tags: Alexandra, Alexandria, wooden steamer, Little Current, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, dock fire, Great Lakes shipwreck
Categories: Accessible Shipwrecks, Passenger-Freight Vessels, Canadian Inland Steamers
Glossary: Winter lay-up, saloon deck, propeller vessel, double-decker freighter, burn wreck

The Alexandra, also known as Alexandria in some sources, was a propeller vessel built in 1902 in Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada. It had a wooden hull, two decks, and measured 97 feet in length, 24.6 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 201 and a net tonnage of 136. alexandra-c-112153 1927-12-19 07:48:00