Prince Arthur (1870)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Prince Arthur
• Type: Paddle Wheel Steamer
• Year Built: 1870
• Builder: Not specified
• Dimensions: 160 ft (48.8 m); Beam: 24.7 ft (7.5 m); Depth of hold: 7.8 ft (2.4 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 169 tons
• Location: Portage du Fort, Quebec
• Coordinates: 45.58778208377145, -76.6639198306311
• Original Owners: Union Forwarding Company, Ottawa, Ontario
• Number of Masts: 1

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Prince Arthur was a wooden-hulled paddle wheel steamer designed for cargo and passenger transport along the waterways of Ontario and Quebec. Built in 1870, the vessel featured a single deck and robust wooden construction, standard for its era. With a gross tonnage of 239 tons, the steamer was a workhorse for regional trade and passenger services, navigating the Ottawa River and its tributaries.

Description

The Prince Arthur was known for its reliability, ferrying passengers and cargo across the Ottawa River. However, it shared a common vulnerability with other wooden steamers: its susceptibility to fire. Wooden hulls, combined with coal-fired boilers, posed a constant threat to such vessels, especially while docked and stationary.

History

Launched in 1870, the Prince Arthur quickly became integral to the transportation network of the Ottawa Valley. Operated by the Union Forwarding Company of Ottawa, the steamer served key ports such as Sand Point, Ontario, and Portage du Fort, Quebec. The vessel contributed significantly to the local economy, particularly during a time of rapid growth in the timber trade and general commerce.

On June 17, 1877, a fire erupted while the vessel was docked at Portage du Fort, Quebec. The flames spread uncontrollably through the wooden structure, consuming the vessel and causing a total loss. Valued at $30,000 at the time, the destruction of the Prince Arthur was both a financial and operational setback for its owners. This tragic loss was officially documented in the Statement of Wreck & Casualty of 1877, maintained by the Department of Marine & Fisheries, which serves as a key historical record of the incident.

Significant Incidents

• June 17, 1877: The Prince Arthur was destroyed by fire while docked at Portage du Fort, Quebec.

Final Disposition

The Prince Arthur was completely destroyed by fire at the dock in Portage du Fort on June 17, 1877. While there were no detailed records of injuries or casualties, the vessel itself was declared a total loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Visibility of Remains: As of 1982, remnants of the Prince Arthur could still be seen at coordinates 45.58778208377145, -76.6639198306311, near the location of its destruction in Portage du Fort.

Condition: The wreck is likely in an advanced state of decay, with wooden components partially submerged and exposed to environmental degradation over the years.

Current Hazards: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with this site. The shallow water and debris near the remains may pose navigation and safety risks.

Resources & Links

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The Prince Arthur exemplifies the challenges of early Canadian river transportation. Its construction as a paddle wheel steamer in 1870 supported burgeoning trade and passenger networks in Ontario and Quebec. However, its fiery end in 1877 highlights the perils of operating wooden vessels during this period. Today, the site of the wreck stands as a poignant reminder of the region’s rich nautical heritage and the risks faced by mariners of the 19th century.