St. Laurent – St. Lawrence River Steamer Shipwreck (1917)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Brothers (renamed St. Laurent)
• Type: Sidewheel Steamer
• Year Built: 1880
• Builder: St. Nicholas, Quebec
• Dimensions: Length: 127 ft (38.7 m); Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m); Depth of hold: 8 ft 6 in (2.6 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Original: 262 tons; Rebuilt (1883): 367 tons; Rebuilt (1900): 546 tons; Rebuilt (1909): 349 tons
• Location: Cornwall Canal, St. Lawrence River
• Official Number: 80735
• Original Owners: Fortier; Maritime & Industrial Company

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Brothers, later renamed St. Laurent, was a wooden sidewheel steamer designed for transport along the St. Lawrence River.

Description

Originally built for light freight and passenger service, the Brothers underwent multiple rebuilds during its career to increase its capacity and adapt to changing needs.

History

Ownership Timeline:

• 1899: Acquired by Fortier, a Quebec-based operator.
• 1901: Purchased by the Maritime & Industrial Company, based in Levis, Quebec. The vessel was renamed St. Laurent during this time.
• 1883: Expanded to 367 gross tons, likely improving passenger accommodations or freight capacity.
• 1900: Rebuilt to 546 gross tons, with a revised length of 126 feet, reflecting a significant structural upgrade.
• 1909: Reduced to 349 gross tons, possibly reflecting changes in usage or aging components.

Significant Incidents

Final Disposition:

• Date: October 19, 1917
• Location: Cornwall Canal, St. Lawrence River
• Cause: The St. Laurent was destroyed by fire while moored.
• Details: The fire consumed the wooden hull, leaving the vessel beyond salvage. No lives were reported lost, as the vessel was docked and unmanned at the time of the incident.

Final Disposition

The Brothers/St. Laurent was a vital part of the maritime network on the St. Lawrence River, facilitating the movement of passengers and goods between Quebec communities during a critical period of development.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is located in the Cornwall Canal, a key shipping route bypassing rapids on the St. Lawrence River, highlighting the importance of infrastructure in supporting regional commerce.

Resources & Links

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The Brothers, later renamed St. Laurent, was a hardworking steamer that served the St. Lawrence River for almost 40 years. Its multiple rebuilds and long service life reflect the resilience of 19th-century maritime engineering and the adaptability required to meet changing demands. Its fiery end in 1917 marked the conclusion of an era, but the vessel remains a part of the rich maritime history of eastern Canada.