Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Jacques Cartier
- Type: Sidewheel Towboat
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: Details not documented
- Dimensions: Not available
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Oka, Quebec, St. Lawrence River
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates not recorded
- Original Owners: J.B. Auger Co., Montreal, Quebec
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Jacques Cartier was a sidewheel vessel, a common design in the 19th century for towboats on North American waterways. Powered by large paddle wheels on either side of its wooden hull, the vessel was built to support towing and navigation of larger ships through challenging sections of rivers and lakes.
Description
The Jacques Cartier was commissioned in 1875 by J.B. Auger Co., a Montreal-based shipping and towing firm. It was specifically designed for towing operations on the St. Lawrence River, supporting the bustling trade and shipping industries of the late 19th century.
Unfortunately, the vessel’s life was tragically short. During its inaugural trial trip on October 18, 1875, a devastating fire broke out onboard while near Oka, Quebec. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the fire rapidly consumed the wooden structure, leading to the total loss of the vessel.
History
The Jacques Cartier was commissioned in 1875 by J.B. Auger Co., a Montreal-based shipping and towing firm. It was specifically designed for towing operations on the St. Lawrence River, supporting the bustling trade and shipping industries of the late 19th century.
Unfortunately, the vessel’s life was tragically short. During its inaugural trial trip on October 18, 1875, a devastating fire broke out onboard while near Oka, Quebec. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the fire rapidly consumed the wooden structure, leading to the total loss of the vessel.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Incident: October 18, 1875
- Cause of Loss: Fire during trial trip
- Outcome: Vessel completely destroyed
- Casualties: No details on fatalities or injuries are available.
Final Disposition
The Jacques Cartier was entirely consumed by fire, leaving no recoverable wreckage in the water. As such, there are no physical remnants for divers or historians to examine at the incident location near Oka.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Jacques Cartier was entirely consumed by fire, leaving no recoverable wreckage in the water. As such, there are no physical remnants for divers or historians to examine at the incident location near Oka.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”jacques-cartier” title=”References & Links”]
The destruction of the Jacques Cartier highlights the dangers of maritime travel and transport during the 19th century. Although its operational life was brief, the vessel remains a significant part of Canadian maritime history, representing the importance of towboats in facilitating trade and navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Its fiery end is a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden steam vessels of the era.
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.
Shipwreck Report: Jacques Cartier
Identification & Site Information
- Vessel Name: Jacques Cartier
- Type: Sidewheel Towboat
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: Details not documented
- Ownership: J.B. Auger Co., Montreal, Quebec
- Dimensions: Not available
- Depth at Wreck Site: Not applicable (vessel completely destroyed by fire)
- Location: Near Oka, Quebec, St. Lawrence River
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates not recorded
Vessel Type Description
The Jacques Cartier was a sidewheel vessel, a common design in the 19th century for towboats on North American waterways. Powered by large paddle wheels on either side of its wooden hull, the vessel was built to support towing and navigation of larger ships through challenging sections of rivers and lakes.
Historical Background
The Jacques Cartier was commissioned in 1875 by J.B. Auger Co., a Montreal-based shipping and towing firm. It was specifically designed for towing operations on the St. Lawrence River, supporting the bustling trade and shipping industries of the late 19th century.
Unfortunately, the vessel’s life was tragically short. During its inaugural trial trip on October 18, 1875, a devastating fire broke out onboard while near Oka, Quebec. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the fire rapidly consumed the wooden structure, leading to the total loss of the vessel.
Final Disposition
- Date of Incident: October 18, 1875
- Cause of Loss: Fire during trial trip
- Outcome: Vessel completely destroyed
- Casualties: No details on fatalities or injuries are available.
Current Condition
The Jacques Cartier was entirely consumed by fire, leaving no recoverable wreckage in the water. As such, there are no physical remnants for divers or historians to examine at the incident location near Oka.
Significance
The Jacques Cartier symbolizes the risks inherent in early steamship operations, particularly during trial voyages when mechanical issues and human error were common. Its loss underscores the challenges faced by wooden vessels, which were vulnerable to fire and often lacked adequate fire suppression systems.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Visit the Database
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Index
- Canadian Shipwreck Database: Explore Shipwrecks
- Oka Historical Society: Local Maritime Records
Key Tags Jacques Cartier, Sidewheel Towboat Shipwreck, Maritime History, Vessel Fire St. Lawrence River, Oka, J.B. Auger Co.
Conclusion
The destruction of the Jacques Cartier highlights the dangers of maritime travel and transport during the 19th century. Although its operational life was brief, the vessel remains a significant part of Canadian maritime history, representing the importance of towboats in facilitating trade and navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Its fiery end is a sobering reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden steam vessels of the era.
jacques-cartier 1875-10-18 07:52:00