Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lady Minto
- Type: Tug / Logging Steamer
- Year Built: 1903
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length 140 ft (42.7 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Sunken in the Narrows near Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Quebec
- Official Number: Not located in current sources
- Original Owners: Upper Ottawa Improvement Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The *Lady Minto* was classified as a tug and logging steamer, primarily used for towing log booms on the Ottawa River.
Description
The *Lady Minto* was a logging steamer built in 1903 and operated by the Upper Ottawa Improvement Company on the Ottawa River. The vessel, measuring approximately 140 ft in length, served primarily to tow log booms between Notre-Dame-du-Nord and the Narrows. Noted as the sister ship to the Alexandra, she underwent significant rebuilding in 1928.
History
Commissioned in 1903 by the Upper Ottawa Improvement Company, the *Lady Minto* served for more than six decades in the timber trade. Her primary role was towing log booms along a portion of the Ottawa River, especially between Notre-Dame-du-Nord and the Narrows.
In 1928, she was rebuilt—details of extent or modification unspecified—but the operation allowed her to continue service well into the mid-20th century.
Significant Incidents
- 1968: The *Lady Minto* caught fire, leading to her intentional sinking in the Narrows.
Final Disposition
In 1968, the *Lady Minto* caught fire. Following the incident, her charred hull was intentionally sunk in the Narrows and repurposed as an anchor structure for a log boom, marking the end of her operational life and transitioning into a static industrial role even in demise.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal archaeological ‘discovery’ is recorded—the remains remain where they were scuttled in 1968, known locally. Recognized in regional shipwreck and river history compilations.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lady-minto-1903″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
While the *Lady Minto* is not a typical recreational dive site, it holds historical significance as a part of the Ottawa River’s logging heritage. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and its history, adhering to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories.’
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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