Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Comet
- Type: Passenger Vessel
- Year Built: 1900
- Builder: Opemican, Quebec
- Dimensions: Length: 99 ft (30.2 m); Beam: 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Temiskaming, Quebec, Canada
- Original Owners: A. Lumsden, Ottawa, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Comet was a screw-propelled passenger vessel built for transportation across Lake Temiskaming. With its practical design and modest size, the Comet facilitated regional travel, connecting communities and promoting commerce in the early 20th century. Its reliable operation made it an essential part of the lake’s transportation network, providing services crucial to the area’s economic and social vitality.
Description
The Comet was launched in 1900 in Opemican, Quebec, under the ownership of A. Lumsden of Ottawa. For two years, the vessel served as a dependable means of transportation, carrying passengers and goods across Lake Temiskaming. Its routes played a critical role in connecting isolated communities, fostering trade, and supporting regional development.
History
On February 8, 1902, the Comet was destroyed by a catastrophic fire at the Opinicon Narrows in Lake Temiskaming. The fire ravaged the vessel, leaving it in ruins and marking the abrupt end of its operations. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, with no conclusive records providing further details. The vessel was consumed entirely by flames, and its charred remains are thought to rest at the bottom of the lake near the site of the incident.
Significant Incidents
- February 8, 1902: The Comet was destroyed by fire at Opinicon Narrows.
- Cause of Fire: The exact cause remains unknown.
- Condition of Wreck: The vessel was consumed entirely by flames, and its remains are believed to be at the bottom of the lake.
Final Disposition
Despite its short-lived career, the Comet remains a symbol of early maritime transportation in the region, highlighting the challenges faced by ships operating on Canada’s inland waters.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck remains undisturbed and has not been mapped or examined in detail. The exact depth is unknown but is assumed to be within moderate diving range, potentially offering exploration opportunities for divers interested in historical wrecks. The preservation status is likely poor due to fire damage and prolonged submersion in freshwater.
Resources & Links
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The Comet represents an important chapter in the maritime history of Lake Temiskaming. Despite its short service life, the vessel played a pivotal role in connecting and supporting lakeside communities. The fire that consumed the Comet underscores the perils of early passenger transportation, where fire was a persistent risk. The site of the wreck remains a historical point of interest, meriting further exploration to uncover the vessel’s story beneath the waters of Lake Temiskaming.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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