Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS Pumper
- Type: Steamship
- Year Built: 1903
- Builder: Buffalo, New York, USA
- Dimensions: 61 ft x 14 ft x 5.5 ft (18.6 m x 4.3 m x 1.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Moored near Kars marina, Rideau River, Ontario
- Coordinates: View on Google Maps
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steamship – multipurpose inland vessel (converted over time from fishing vessel to tug, icebreaker, and tour boat)
Description
The SS Pumper is a steel-hulled steamship launched in 1903 in Buffalo, NY, originally named the SS Planet. The vessel underwent numerous conversions during her lifetime, reflecting her various roles — from a fishing boat, tugboat, and icebreaker, to a tour boat. Her hull and design reflect the early 20th-century focus on robust and utilitarian shipbuilding, making her durable across changing uses and icy inland waters.
History
The SS Pumper has a storied past, beginning with her seizure by Canadian authorities in 1909 for involvement in cross-border “Running the Line” operations — illegal fishing and suspected smuggling during the Prohibition era. Renamed Racey, she became a trusted lead vessel in the fishing fleet out of Port Dover, and later contributed to search and rescue efforts.
By the 1980s, the vessel underwent significant restoration led by the Pettit family, including the installation of a Doty steam engine (1895) and a Scotch marine boiler (1900). From there, she operated as a tour boat on the Rideau Canal before settling in the Kars/Manotick region, where she remains to this day.
Significant Incidents
- 1909: Seized by Canadian authorities for illegal fishing and suspected smuggling.
- 1980s: Underwent significant restoration by the Pettit family.
Final Disposition
The SS Pumper is currently moored near the Kars marina. While not derelict, she is inactive and rests seasonally encased in ice, her steel hull still floating after more than a century. The vessel is well-known in the local community and highlighted in local historical resources.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The vessel has been at this mooring since the early 2000s, listed in the Canadian National Inventory under Location ID #BR0108.
Navigational Advisory: Mariners should use caution near the Kars marina location, especially in winter months when the Pumper may be encased in ice or partially submerged.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ss-pumper-ss-planet-racey-paul-evans” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a historical vessel, the SS Pumper represents a significant part of the maritime heritage of the Rideau River. Divers and visitors are encouraged to respect her legacy by practicing no-touch documentation methods and leaving the site better than they found it.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SS Pumper
- Former Names: SS Planet, Racey, Paul Evans
- Registration Number(s): Not recorded
- Year of Build: 1903
- Built at: Buffalo, New York, USA
- Measurements: 61 ft x 14 ft x 5.5 ft (18.6 m x 4.3 m x 1.7 m)
- Final Location: Moored near Kars marina, Rideau River, Ontario
- Coordinates (approximate): View on Google Maps
Vessel Type
Steamship – multipurpose inland vessel (converted over time from fishing vessel to tug, icebreaker, and tour boat)
Description
The SS Pumper is a steel-hulled steamship launched in 1903 in Buffalo, NY, originally named the SS Planet. The vessel underwent numerous conversions during her lifetime, reflecting her various roles — from a fishing boat, tugboat, and icebreaker, to a tour boat. Her hull and design reflect the early 20th-century focus on robust and utilitarian shipbuilding, making her durable across changing uses and icy inland waters.
History
The SS Pumper has a storied past, beginning with her seizure by Canadian authorities in 1909 for involvement in cross-border “Running the Line” operations — illegal fishing and suspected smuggling during the Prohibition era. Renamed Racey, she became a trusted lead vessel in the fishing fleet out of Port Dover, and later contributed to search and rescue efforts.
By the 1980s, the vessel underwent significant restoration led by the Pettit family, including the installation of a Doty steam engine (1895) and a Scotch marine boiler (1900). From there, she operated as a tour boat on the Rideau Canal before settling in the Kars/Manotick region, where she remains to this day.
Final Disposition
The SS Pumper is currently moored near the Kars marina. While not derelict, she is inactive and rests seasonally encased in ice, her steel hull still floating after more than a century. The vessel is well-known in the local community and highlighted in local historical resources.
Located By & Date Found
The vessel has been at this mooring since the early 2000s, listed in the Canadian National Inventory under Location ID #BR0108.
Notmars & Advisories
- Navigational Advisory: Mariners should use caution near the Kars marina location, especially in winter months when the Pumper may be encased in ice or partially submerged.
Resources & Links
- SS Pumper – Location on Google Maps
- Pumper.ca (historical background)
- Capital Gems – Ottawa’s heritage spotlight
Glossary Term
C-3 – Register of Wrecks and Casualties, Inland Waters
A federal record of wrecked, abandoned, or hazardous vessels on Canadian inland waters. The SS Pumper is included under this designation due to her historical status and stationary condition.
Keywords
SS Pumper, SS Planet, Racey, Paul Evans, Buffalo, Steamship, Steel hull, Doty Steam Engine, Scotch marine boiler, Tugboat, Icebreaker, Rideau Canal, Ottawa River, Kars marina, Capital Gems, Pumper.ca
ss-pumper-formerly-ss-planet-racey-paul-evans 2000-03-14 07:50:00