Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Cataraqui (1836)

Explore the history of the Cataraqui, a sidewheel steamer lost in the Great Fire of Kingston, and its role in early Great Lakes navigation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Cataraqui
  • Type: Sidewheel Steamer
  • Year Built: 1836
  • Builder: Kingston, Ontario
  • Dimensions: Length: Approximately 105 ft (32 m); Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth of hold:
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Kingston, Ontario
  • Original Owners: Ottawa and Rideau Forwarding Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Cataraqui was a wooden sidewheel steamer designed for the transport of passengers and freight. This type of vessel, with large paddle wheels mounted on either side, was a hallmark of early steam-powered navigation, offering increased speed and reliability compared to sailing ships. The Cataraqui played a key role in connecting Kingston, Ottawa, and Grenville, contributing to the economic development of the region by navigating both the Rideau Canal and Lake Ontario.

Description

Built in 1836 in Kingston, Ontario, the Cataraqui represented the ingenuity of early Great Lakes shipbuilders. The steamer was powered by an engine salvaged from the Thomas McKay, a steamer wrecked in the Rideau Canal in 1835. This reuse of a valuable engine reflects the practical approaches employed in the burgeoning era of steamship travel.

The Cataraqui primarily operated along the Kingston-Ottawa-Grenville corridor via the Rideau Canal. It also occasionally served the Kingston-Prescott route, supporting trade and transportation in the growing economy of the Great Lakes region. Its importance extended beyond passenger transport to include critical freight services, helping establish Kingston as a central hub for commerce.

History

The Cataraqui met its untimely end on April 17, 1840, during the infamous Great Fire of Kingston. This catastrophic event ravaged much of Kingston’s waterfront, consuming docks, warehouses, and vessels moored in the harbor, including the Cataraqui. The complete destruction of the vessel marked a significant loss for the city’s maritime infrastructure. While details of potential casualties or the ship’s final cargo are not available, the fire was a transformative event in Kingston’s history, altering its waterfront and impacting its maritime operations.

Significant Incidents

  • The Cataraqui was destroyed in the Great Fire of Kingston on April 17, 1840.

Final Disposition

The Cataraqui was completely destroyed by fire, leaving no physical wreckage. While there is no site to visit, its story is preserved in the historical narrative of Kingston’s waterfront and the evolution of Great Lakes steamship transportation.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Cataraqui‘s destruction site is tied to the historical records of the Great Fire of Kingston, which consumed much of the city’s waterfront in 1840. The exact location corresponds to the area of the Kingston harbor impacted by the fire, though no physical remains of the vessel exist today.

Resources & Links

The Cataraqui stands as a significant chapter in the history of Kingston and the Great Lakes. Its role as a sidewheel steamer exemplifies the transformative era of steam navigation, facilitating trade and passenger movement across vital routes. The vessel’s fiery destruction during the Great Fire of Kingston highlights the vulnerabilities of early maritime operations and the dramatic changes to Kingston’s waterfront infrastructure. Though no physical remnants of the Cataraqui survive, its story remains integral to the heritage of Lake Ontario’s maritime history.