Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Grecian
- Type: Sidewheel steamer
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Canadian Inland Steam Navigation Co., Montreal (engine by Eagle Foundry)
- Dimensions: 177 ft × 27 ft × 11 ft; Gross Tonnage: 496 (old measurement)
- Registered Tonnage: 496
- Location: Split Rock (Cascades) Rapids, St. Lawrence River
- Number of Masts: single mast
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A robust, iron-hulled sidewheel steamer designed to traverse the challenging rapids of the St. Lawrence River. With paddle wheels and engineering by Eagle Foundry, Grecian embodied mid-19th century steam navigation technology—heavy, reliable, yet vulnerable in swift currents.
Description
The Grecian was a sidewheel steamer characterized by its iron hull and two decks, built to navigate the turbulent waters of the St. Lawrence River. Its design included a single mast and paddle wheels, reflecting the engineering capabilities of the time.
History
Operating out of Montreal, Grecian encountered multiple grounding incidents:
- 5 Jul 1867: Stranded in Lachine Rapids
- 16 Jul 1868: Stranded at Cascades Rapids
- 30 Oct 1868: Stranded in Galops Rapids
Her final wreck occurred on 18 May 1869 at Split Rock Rapids due to steering failure, resulting in wreckage and one fatality aboard. Salvage attempts in September failed, leading to her permanent loss.
Significant Incidents
- 5 Jul 1867: Stranded in Lachine Rapids
- 16 Jul 1868: Stranded at Cascades Rapids
- 30 Oct 1868: Stranded in Galops Rapids
- 18 May 1869: Final wreck at Split Rock Rapids due to steering failure, resulting in one fatality.
Final Disposition
The Grecian was lost in the turbulent waters of the St. Lawrence River, with salvage attempts proving unsuccessful. The wreck remains a significant historical site, illustrating the challenges faced by early steam vessels.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The exact wreck location remains unconfirmed, but she likely lies in shallow, turbulent water—posing logistical challenges and potential hazards from fast currents. The wreck, if found, would offer rare insight into 19th-century iron steamship design in riverine conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”grecian-1863″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Grecian‘s troubled service history and final destruction exemplify the inherent hazards of early steam navigation on the St. Lawrence, especially through narrow rapids. Her repeated strandings reflect both the limitations of contemporary steering designs and the unforgiving nature of river terrain.
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.
GRECIAN (Sidewheel Steamer, 1863)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Grecian
- Type: Sidewheel steamer (iron-hulled, two decks, single mast)
- Builder: Canadian Inland Steam Navigation Co., Montreal (engine by Eagle Foundry)
- Launched: 28 October 1863, registered June 2, 1864
- Dimensions: 177 ft × 27 ft × 11 ft; Gross Tonnage: 496 (old measurement)
- Final Location: Split Rock (Cascades) Rapids, St. Lawrence River
- Depth: Undocumented, likely shallow in rapids
Vessel Type Description
A robust, iron-hulled sidewheel steamer designed to traverse the challenging rapids of the St. Lawrence River. With paddle wheels and engineering by Eagle Foundry, Grecian embodied mid-19th century steam navigation technology—heavy, reliable, yet vulnerable in swift currents.
History & Final Incident
Operating out of Montreal, Grecian encountered multiple grounding incidents:
- 5 Jul 1867: Stranded in Lachine Rapids
- 16 Jul 1868: Stranded at Cascades Rapids
- 30 Oct 1868: Stranded in Galops Rapids
Her final wreck occurred on 18 May 1869 at Split Rock Rapids due to steering failure, resulting in wreckage and one fatality aboard. Salvage attempts in September failed, leading to her permanent loss.
Dive Site Experience
The exact wreck location remains unconfirmed, but she likely lies in shallow, turbulent water—posing logistical challenges and potential hazards from fast currents. The wreck, if found, would offer rare insight into 19th-century iron steamship design in riverine conditions.
Analysis & Significance
The Grecian‘s troubled service history and final destruction exemplify the inherent hazards of early steam navigation on the St. Lawrence, especially through narrow rapids. Her repeated strandings reflect both the limitations of contemporary steering designs and the unforgiving nature of river terrain.
Resources & Links
- NOAA’s Thunder Bay Sanctuary records for sidewheel vessels
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes (thunderbay.noaa.gov, sanctuaries.noaa.gov, en.wikipedia.org)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Naval and regional archives documenting mid-19th century St. Lawrence steamboats
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Tags: Grecian 1863, St. Lawrence steamer, sidewheel, Rapids wreck, Montreal steamship
Categories: Riverine Steam Vessels, Sidewheelers, Iron-Hulled Ships, Cayé Maritime Losses
Glossary: Sidewheel steamer, iron hull, rapids grounding, steering failure, salvage attempt