Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hamilton
- Type: Sidewheel Steamboat
- Year Built: 1896
- Builder: Sand Point, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 118 ft (36 m); Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold:
- Registered Tonnage: Original Gross Tonnage: 320 tons; Gross Tonnage (Post-1921 Rebuild): 344 tons
- Location: Castleford, Ottawa River
- Original Owners: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Hamilton was a sidewheel steamboat, a type of paddle steamer with wheels mounted on either side of the hull. This design provided the power necessary for towing heavy log booms along the Ottawa River. Wooden sidewheelers like the Hamilton were central to the region’s 19th-century economy, particularly the timber trade, which relied heavily on waterborne transportation.
Description
The Hamilton was launched in 1896, specifically designed to meet the demands of the booming timber industry along the Ottawa River. Its robust sidewheel propulsion system allowed it to tow large log booms efficiently between Chenaux and Chats Falls, two key locations in the timber supply chain.
History
The Hamilton underwent a significant rebuild in 1921, increasing its dimensions and tonnage. These modifications ensured the vessel remained competitive and capable of handling the increasing demands of its role in the timber industry.
By 1949, after decades of service, the Hamilton was decommissioned from its active role. However, it was not scrapped or abandoned; instead, its hull was repurposed and deliberately sunk at Castleford to anchor a glance boom. This repurposing exemplifies the vessel’s continued contribution to the logging industry even after its operational life had ended.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Sinking: 1949
- Purpose: Deliberately sunk at Castleford to anchor a glance boom for logging operations.
- Location: Castleford, Ottawa River
Final Disposition
The submerged hull of the Hamilton remains at Castleford, likely buried or deteriorated due to its wooden construction and extended exposure to the river environment. While its exact condition is undocumented, the site holds historical significance as a relic of the Ottawa River’s timber trade.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Hamilton. Mariners in the area should be aware of the historical significance of the Castleford site and exercise caution when navigating near submerged structures.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hamilton-1866″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Hamilton is emblematic of the indispensable role that sidewheel steamboats played in the development of the Ottawa River’s timber trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its eventual transformation into a glance boom anchor illustrates the resourcefulness of maritime practices at the time. While its physical remains may have faded, the Hamilton’s legacy endures as a symbol of a bygone era of steam-powered commerce and ingenuity.
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
- Vessel Name: Hamilton
- Year of Build: 1896
- Built At: Sand Point, Ontario
- Type: Sidewheel Steamboat
- Hull Materials: Wood
- Number of Decks: 1
- Original Owner: Not specified
- Dimensions (Post-1921 Rebuild):
- Length: 118 feet (36 meters)
- Beam: 24 feet (7.3 meters)
- Tonnage:
- Original Gross Tonnage: 320 tons
- Gross Tonnage (Post-1921 Rebuild): 344 tons
Vessel Type Description
The Hamilton was a sidewheel steamboat, a type of paddle steamer with wheels mounted on either side of the hull. This design provided the power necessary for towing heavy log booms along the Ottawa River. Wooden sidewheelers like the Hamilton were central to the region’s 19th-century economy, particularly the timber trade, which relied heavily on waterborne transportation.
History
The Hamilton was launched in 1896, specifically designed to meet the demands of the booming timber industry along the Ottawa River. Its robust sidewheel propulsion system allowed it to tow large log booms efficiently between Chenaux and Chats Falls, two key locations in the timber supply chain.
1921 Rebuild
To extend its operational life, the Hamilton underwent a significant rebuild in 1921, increasing its dimensions and tonnage. These modifications ensured the vessel remained competitive and capable of handling the increasing demands of its role in the timber industry.
End of Active Service
By 1949, after decades of service, the Hamilton was decommissioned from its active role. However, it was not scrapped or abandoned; instead, its hull was repurposed and deliberately sunk at Castleford to anchor a glance boom. This repurposing exemplifies the vessel’s continued contribution to the logging industry even after its operational life had ended.
Final Disposition
- Date of Sinking: 1949
- Purpose: Deliberately sunk at Castleford to anchor a glance boom for logging operations.
- Location: Castleford, Ottawa River
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Hamilton’s submerged hull remains at Castleford, likely buried or deteriorated due to its wooden construction and extended exposure to the river environment. While its exact condition is undocumented, the site holds historical significance as a relic of the Ottawa River’s timber trade.
Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Hamilton. Mariners in the area should be aware of the historical significance of the Castleford site and exercise caution when navigating near submerged structures.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes:
- Comprehensive resource on Great Lakes and Ottawa River vessels.
- Ottawa River Timber Trade Archives:
- Historical records detailing the role of vessels like the Hamilton in the timber industry.
- Local Historical Societies:
- Archives in the Ottawa region may provide additional insights and historical records related to the Hamilton.
Conclusion
The Hamilton is emblematic of the indispensable role that sidewheel steamboats played in the development of the Ottawa River’s timber trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its eventual transformation into a glance boom anchor illustrates the resourcefulness of maritime practices at the time. While its physical remains may have faded, the Hamilton’s legacy endures as a symbol of a bygone era of steam-powered commerce and ingenuity.
Keywords•Hamilton•Sidewheel Steamboat•Ottawa River•Timber Industry•Castleford Anchor Boom•19th-Century Maritime History•Sand Point Ontario
Glossary
Sidewheel Steamboat: A vessel propelled by large paddle wheels mounted on its sides, powered by steam engines.
Log Boom: A floating barrier or chain of logs used to control and direct logs in a waterway.
Glance Boom: A specialized structure in logging used to guide and contain logs, often anchored to stable structures or the riverbed.
hamilton-1866 1949-03-14 07:51:00