Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rose
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Chaffey, Kingston, Ontario (also attributed to J. Carruthers or Thurston)
- Dimensions: 104 ft x 23 ft x 6 ft (approx. 31.7 m x 7.0 m x 1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 122 gross tons (approx. 110.7 metric tonnes); 92 net tons (approx. 83.5 metric tonnes)
- Location: Unreported
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: Not specified
- Original Owners: W. Owens, Stonefield, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rose was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven steam tug, commonly referred to as a harbor tug. These vessels were integral to port operations, assisting larger ships with docking, undocking, and maneuvering within confined harbor spaces. The Rose‘s design and construction were typical of mid-19th-century steam tugs operating on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1869, the Rose measured 104 feet in length, 23 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth (approx. 31.7 m x 7.0 m x 1.8 m), with a gross tonnage of 122 tons (approx. 110.7 metric tonnes). Her wooden hull and steam propulsion system were characteristic of the era’s tugboats, designed for durability and functionality in assisting larger vessels within harbor environments. The Rose underwent a significant rebuild in 1882, indicating her continued utility and the owner’s investment in maintaining her operational status.
History
The Rose served as a harbor tug under the ownership of W. Owens in Stonefield, Ontario. Her operations would have primarily involved assisting ships in docking and undocking procedures, towing vessels within the harbor, and possibly engaging in salvage operations. The rebuild in 1882 suggests that she was actively maintained and considered valuable for harbor operations during her service life.
Significant Incidents
The Rose was lost in 1887 due to a fire. Specific details regarding the circumstances of the fire, the exact location of the incident, and the fate of the crew are not documented in the available sources.
Final Disposition
In 1887, the Rose was lost due to a fire. The loss of the Rose would have represented a significant setback for harbor operations in Stonefield, Ontario, given the essential role of tugboats in maritime logistics.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Rose has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
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The Rose exemplifies the vital role of harbor tugs in the maritime operations of the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her loss due to fire in 1887 underscores the hazards faced by such vessels, particularly those constructed with wooden hulls and powered by steam engines. While specific details of her final voyage remain scarce, the Rose‘s service life contributes to the broader narrative of maritime history in Ontario’s port communities.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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