Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Spartan
- Type: Sidewheel steamer
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Gilbert & Company, Montreal, Que.
- Dimensions: 179.8 ft × 28 ft × 11 ft (≈ 54.8 m × 8.53 m × 3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 493 (old measurement)
- Location: Kingston, Ontario (dismantling)
- Coordinates: Not known
- Official Number: 122070
- Original Owners: Canada Inland Navigation Co.; later Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co.; Canada Steamship Lines, etc.
- Number of Masts: Not documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The *Spartan* was a sidewheel steamer designed for inland trade, featuring a horizontal locomotive-style engine for propulsion.
Description
The *Spartan* was built circa 1864, possibly as a prefabricated iron steamer assembled in Montreal. The vessel measured 179.8 ft in length, 28 ft in beam, and 11 ft in depth, with a tonnage of 493 under older measurement systems.
History
The *Spartan* is believed to have been prefabricated abroad, likely in Scotland, before being assembled in Montreal. Early in her career, she operated alongside the *Corinthian*. On October 16, 1868, she struck in the Long Sault Rapids on the St. Lawrence River. In the winter of 1870-71, she underwent refitting at Cantin’s Drydock in Montreal, where her iron hull was sheathed in wood and the interior was renovated. In 1876, she was acquired by Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co. of Montreal.
In the early 1880s, she was chartered by the Owen Sound Steamship Company for operations in Georgian Bay and Lake Superior ports. In May 1883, she went aground on Caribou Island in Lake Superior but was recovered by the tug *Winslow* and repaired at Detroit Dry Dock Co. On September 19, 1898, she ran aground again due to steering failure at Caughnawaga in the St. Lawrence River. In 1900, she was rebuilt and remeasured, and in 1905, she was lengthened in Montreal to 200.8 ft, yielding a tonnage of 1,233 gross and 607 net tons, and was renamed *Belleville*.
In November 1910, she went ashore at Grafton, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. By 1913, she was owned by Canada Steamship Lines. She was laid up around 1914 and partially stripped. After 1915, she replaced the *Alexandria* on package freight service between Montreal, Toronto, and Hamilton. In 1919-20, she was again rebuilt and reduced for freight trade, measuring 639 gross and 255 net tons. Ultimately, in 1924, she was dismantled in Kingston, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
- October 16, 1868: Struck in the Long Sault Rapids on the St. Lawrence River.
- May 1883: Went aground on Caribou Island, Lake Superior; recovered by tug *Winslow*.
- September 19, 1898: Ran aground at Caughnawaga due to steering failure.
- November 1910: Went ashore at Grafton, Ontario, Lake Ontario.
Final Disposition
The *Spartan* was not lost by sinking; instead, she was deliberately dismantled in Kingston in 1924 after decades of service. Her hull was broken up and removed from active registry.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No underwater wreck exists to locate, as the vessel was dismantled rather than lost by wrecking. Therefore, no dive conditions or access points are applicable.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”spartan-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
The *Spartan*, later known as *Belleville*, serves as a historical example of the evolution of Great Lakes shipping and the transition from active service to dismantling in the early 20th century.
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