Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maude
- Type: Sidewheel Towboat
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: A. Cantin
- Dimensions: Length: 112 ft (34.14 m); Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.13 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 269 tons; Custom-House Measure: 133 tons (pre-1877 records)
- Location: Hudson, Quebec
- Original Owners: Ottawa River Navigation Co.
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Maude was a wooden sidewheel towboat designed for towing operations on the Ottawa River and other nearby waterways. With its robust construction by A. Cantin, a notable Montreal shipbuilder, the vessel embodied the ingenuity of its time, facilitating the movement of goods and larger vessels. Its custom-house tonnage, a pre-standardization measure, reflected its operational capacity before later refinements in shipping regulations. The Maude’s design prioritized functionality, boasting a single deck and sidewheel propulsion.
Description
The Maude served under the Ottawa River Navigation Co., a pivotal organization in maritime transportation along one of Canada’s busiest river systems. Towboats like the Maude were integral to commerce, ensuring goods and passengers reached their destinations safely across the dynamic and sometimes perilous waters.
The vessel’s operations coincided with a period of significant growth in maritime trade, necessitating towboats capable of navigating crowded waterways. Custom-house measurements recorded before 1877, such as the Maude’s 133 tons, were common before global standards harmonized how ships were assessed.
The Maude spent decades facilitating regional trade until tragedy struck in 1906.
History
On September 27, 1906, the Maude collided with the Ottawa near Hudson, Quebec. The collision resulted in severe damage, causing the Maude to founder and sink. The incident claimed the lives of three crew members, underscoring the inherent dangers of navigating busy waterways during this era.
This loss highlights the vulnerabilities of 19th and early 20th-century maritime vessels, particularly wooden sidewheelers like the Maude, which lacked the technological advancements of later ships.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the Ottawa on September 27, 1906, resulting in sinking and loss of three crew members.
Final Disposition
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) concerning the wreck of the Maude are documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Maude wreck is a significant historical site, representing the maritime history of the Ottawa River. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods, ensuring the preservation of this important artifact.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maude” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Maude was a valuable asset to the maritime industry of its time, representing the critical role of sidewheel towboats in the bustling trade along the Ottawa River. Its untimely end following a collision with the Ottawa in 1906 serves as a somber chapter in Canada’s maritime history. The vessel’s service life and tragic fate highlight the challenges faced by crews and ships in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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