Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: BRUCE
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1846
- Builder: Daniel Dibble
- Dimensions: Length: Approximately 100 ft (30.5 m); Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m); Depth of hold: 7.7 ft (2.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 107; Net Tonnage: 87
- Location: Ottawa River near the Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario
- Coordinates: Approximately 45°25'59"N 75°41'30"W
- Official Number: Not assigned
- Original Owners: W.H. Comstock of Brockville, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Sidewheel steamer designed for passenger and cargo transport.
Description
The BRUCE was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer, originally built as the ISLANDER in 1846. Constructed from red cedar, the vessel measured approximately 100 feet in length with a beam of 17 feet. It featured a single deck and was powered by a high-pressure steam engine driving side-mounted paddlewheels.
History
Launched in 1846 as the ISLANDER, the vessel initially served routes around Kelleys Island, Ohio, transporting passengers and freight. In 1857, it was involved in a collision with the steamer PEARL but was salvaged and repaired. By 1858, under the command of Captain Duncan Rowan, the ISLANDER operated between Goderich, Ontario, and ports on Lake Huron’s eastern shore. In March 1861, the vessel sank in Lake St. Clair after its hull was breached by ice. The remains were transported to Goderich, where shipbuilder Henry Marlton reconstructed the steamer, renaming it BRUCE. The BRUCE resumed service in July 1862, operating routes between Goderich, Kincardine, and Southampton, Ontario. By 1866, the vessel had transitioned to Lake Ontario, providing daily service between Belleville and Oswego, New York, with stops in Kingston and Picton. In 1873, ownership transferred to W.H. Comstock of Brockville, Ontario, who intended to utilize the BRUCE on the Rideau River between Westport and Ottawa.
Significant Incidents
- 1857: Collision with the steamer PEARL, salvaged and repaired.
- 1861: Sank in Lake St. Clair after hull breach due to ice.
- 1876: Caught fire and sank in the Ottawa River.
Final Disposition
In 1876, the BRUCE caught fire and sank in the Ottawa River near the entrance to the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. The vessel was a total loss, and its remains settled in the riverbed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was rediscovered in June 1982 by the Santa Maria Society, a group dedicated to conserving the marine environment of the Ottawa area. The remains were relocated to a designated underwater park between the Macdonald-Cartier and Alexandra Bridges in Ottawa. On August 8, 1982, the hull was ceremonially resunk at this site to serve as an attraction for divers. The wreck lies within an underwater park in the Ottawa River, marked for diving activities. Divers should exercise caution and adhere to local regulations when exploring the site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”bruce-1846″ title=”References & Links”]
The BRUCE’s transformation from the ISLANDER and its varied service life reflect the adaptability and challenges of 19th-century steam navigation on the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. Today, the vessel’s remains serve as a historical landmark and diving attraction in the Ottawa River, offering insights into the region’s maritime heritage.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: BRUCE
- Former Name: ISLANDER
- Year Built: 1846
- Official Number: Not assigned
- Construction:
- Builder: Daniel Dibble
- Location: Kelleys Island, Ohio
- Hull Material: Red cedar
- Number of Decks: 1
- Measurements:
- Length: Approximately 100 feet (30.5 meters)
- Beam: 17 feet (5.2 meters)
- Depth: 7.7 feet (2.3 meters)
- Gross Tonnage: 107
- Net Tonnage: 87
- Propulsion:
- Type: Sidewheel steamer
- Engine: High-pressure, specifics unknown
- Boilers: Constructed by John Gartshore, Dundas, Ontario
- Date Lost: 1876
- Final Location: Ottawa River near the Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario
- Coordinates: Approximately 45°25’59″N 75°41’30″W
Vessel Type
Sidewheel steamer designed for passenger and cargo transport.
Description
The BRUCE was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer, originally built as the ISLANDER in 1846. Constructed from red cedar, the vessel measured approximately 100 feet in length with a beam of 17 feet. It featured a single deck and was powered by a high-pressure steam engine driving side-mounted paddlewheels.
History
Launched in 1846 as the ISLANDER, the vessel initially served routes around Kelleys Island, Ohio, transporting passengers and freight. In 1857, it was involved in a collision with the steamer PEARL but was salvaged and repaired. By 1858, under the command of Captain Duncan Rowan, the ISLANDER operated between Goderich, Ontario, and ports on Lake Huron’s eastern shore. In March 1861, the vessel sank in Lake St. Clair after its hull was breached by ice. The remains were transported to Goderich, where shipbuilder Henry Marlton reconstructed the steamer, renaming it BRUCE. The BRUCE resumed service in July 1862, operating routes between Goderich, Kincardine, and Southampton, Ontario. By 1866, the vessel had transitioned to Lake Ontario, providing daily service between Belleville and Oswego, New York, with stops in Kingston and Picton. In 1873, ownership transferred to W.H. Comstock of Brockville, Ontario, who intended to utilize the BRUCE on the Rideau River between Westport and Ottawa.
Final Disposition
In 1876, the BRUCE caught fire and sank in the Ottawa River near the entrance to the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. The vessel was a total loss, and its remains settled in the riverbed.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was rediscovered in June 1982 by the Santa Maria Society, a group dedicated to conserving the marine environment of the Ottawa area. The remains were relocated to a designated underwater park between the Macdonald-Cartier and Alexandra Bridges in Ottawa. On August 8, 1982, the hull was ceremonially resunk at this site to serve as an attraction for divers.
Notmars & Advisories
The wreck lies within an underwater park in the Ottawa River, marked for diving activities. Divers should exercise caution and adhere to local regulations when exploring the site.
Resources & Links
- Toronto Marine Historical Society: Ship of the Month No. 160 Bruce
- Wikipedia: List of shipwrecks of Canada
Conclusion
The BRUCE’s transformation from the ISLANDER and its varied service life reflect the adaptability and challenges of 19th-century steam navigation on the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways. Today, the vessel’s remains serve as a historical landmark and diving attraction in the Ottawa River, offering insights into the region’s maritime heritage.
Keywords: BRUCE steamer, ISLANDER steamer, Ottawa River shipwrecks, 19th-century steam vessels, Great Lakes maritime history
Categories: Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Great Lakes Navigation, Canadian Transportation History
Glossary Terms:
- Sidewheel Steamer: A steam-powered vessel propelled by paddlewheels mounted on the sides.
- Gross Tonnage: A measure of the overall internal volume of a vessel.
- Net Tonnage: The volume of cargo-carrying capacity of a vessel.
- Hull: The main body of a ship, including the bottom, sides, and deck.