Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sir Hector
- Type: Wooden tugboat, screw-propelled
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: Waters, Ottawa, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 71 ft (21.6 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 40 gross tons
- Location: Operational in Ottawa River and canals
- Coordinates: 45.62747° N, -74.74510° W (recorded incident near L’Orignal, ON)
- Official Number: 96892
- Original Owners: J. Heney (1895); Ottawa Transportation Co. (1901–c.1916)
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sir Hector was a wooden tugboat designed for towing and harbor assistance, featuring screw propulsion for efficiency in narrow channels.
Description
The Sir Hector was a small, robust wooden tugboat built in Ottawa in 1891 by builder Waters. Measuring just over 70 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 40 tons, she was designed for towing and harbor assistance. Her screw-propulsion made her efficient for narrow channels and river operations, where she supported commercial shipping on the Ottawa River and surrounding waterways.
History
Initially registered in Ottawa, the Sir Hector served as a working tug in the capital region. By 1895 she was owned by J. Heney of Ottawa, reflecting local investment in tug services for industry and trade. In 1901, the vessel was sold to the Ottawa Transportation Co., which operated her in towing duties until at least 1916. Throughout her life, she served as a workhorse tug for timber, barges, and river traffic.
Significant Incidents
- 6 March 1897 — Collision at L’Orignal, Ontario: Sir Hector was rammed and sunk by the vessel Hall. Salvage operations successfully raised and repaired her, highlighting both her durability and the importance of her continued service.
Final Disposition
Precise details of the vessel’s retirement or loss are unknown. She likely was retired after 1916 due to age, wear, and advances in steel-hulled tug construction. Her registry was struck sometime after Ottawa Transportation Co. disposed of her.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Wreck location unknown. No confirmed remains have been identified on the Ottawa River. Her operational incidents are documented, but no physical wreck site has been recorded.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sir-hector-c-96892″ title=”References & Links”]
No recorded casualties from her 1897 sinking incident. Crew survived and vessel was raised. No memorials known.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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