Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: The Muskrat
- Type: Inland wooden steamboat
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder: Jason Gould (operator); builder unknown
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2 m / 6 ft
- Location: Muskrat Lake, Ontario
- Coordinates: 45.6202° N, 76.8783° W
- Official Number: Not registered
- Original Owners: Jason Gould (private)
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Muskrat was an inland wooden steamboat, marking a significant advancement in water transport in the Ottawa Valley.
Description
The Muskrat was the first known steamboat to operate on Muskrat Lake in the Ottawa Valley. Constructed in 1852 and operated by Jason Gould, the wooden vessel was part of a strategic effort to expedite trade and passenger movement between Cobden and Pembroke. It replaced earlier rowboats used in the region’s primitive ferrying service and was soon joined by a larger steamer, North Star, in 1853.
History
Jason Gould began ferry operations on Muskrat Lake in the mid-19th century to improve efficiency in the Ottawa Valley’s fur trade and supply routes. The introduction of The Muskrat in 1852 marked a transition to mechanized inland water transport in the area. The steamboat ran between Cobden and points connecting with overland portage routes toward the Ottawa River and Pembroke.
On May 16, 1853, a massive forest fire swept through the Muskrat Lake region. The blaze destroyed critical infrastructure including Gould’s wharf, storehouses, and The Muskrat, which was at dock. The larger steamboat North Star survived the fire as it was on the lake during the incident.
Significant Incidents
- May 16, 1853: A massive forest fire destroyed The Muskrat while docked, along with other infrastructure.
Final Disposition
The Muskrat was consumed by fire and sank in Muskrat Lake. The fire damage, followed by submersion, likely left scattered remains. No record exists of salvage or insurance claims from the time.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of The Muskrat was discovered in 1965 by scuba divers from the Underwater Society of Ottawa. The remains were located just offshore. Items recovered included charred timber, iron fittings, and glass bottles. No formal archaeological or 3D site documentation is publicly available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”the-muskrat-1852″ title=”References & Links”]
No crew list or casualty record survives for The Muskrat. The incident resulted in vessel loss but no known fatalities.
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.
Identification Card (SLD)
Other Names: None known
Official Number: Not registered
Registry: Canada (pre-confederation, Upper Canada)
Vessel Type: Inland wooden steamboat
Builder: Jason Gould (operator); builder unknown
Year Built: 1852
Dimensions: Unknown
Tonnage: Unknown
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown
Date of Loss: 16 May 1853
Location: Muskrat Lake, Ontario
Coordinates: 45.6202° N, 76.8783° W
Depth: A few feet off shore
Home Port: Cobden, Ontario
Owners: Jason Gould (private)
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: None known
Description
The Muskrat was the first known steamboat to operate on Muskrat Lake in the Ottawa Valley. Constructed in 1852 and operated by Jason Gould, the wooden vessel was part of a strategic effort to expedite trade and passenger movement between Cobden and Pembroke. It replaced earlier rowboats used in the region’s primitive ferrying service and was soon joined by a larger steamer, North Star, in 1853.
History
Jason Gould began ferry operations on Muskrat Lake in the mid-19th century to improve efficiency in the Ottawa Valley’s fur trade and supply routes. The introduction of The Muskrat in 1852 marked a transition to mechanized inland water transport in the area. The steamboat ran between Cobden and points connecting with overland portage routes toward the Ottawa River and Pembroke.
On May 16, 1853, a massive forest fire swept through the Muskrat Lake region. The blaze destroyed critical infrastructure including Gould’s wharf, storehouses, and The Muskrat, which was at dock. The larger steamboat North Star survived the fire as it was on the lake during the incident.
Final Dispositions
The Muskrat was consumed by fire and sank in Muskrat Lake. The fire damage, followed by submersion, likely left scattered remains. No record exists of salvage or insurance claims from the time.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck of The Muskrat was discovered in 1965 by scuba divers from the Underwater Society of Ottawa. The remains were located just offshore. Items recovered included charred timber, iron fittings, and glass bottles.
Notmars & Advisories
No hazards or active advisories are charted for this location. Wreck lies in shallow water near shore.
Dive Information
Access: Shore
Entry Point: Muskrat Lake shoreline (exact point not published)
Conditions: Shallow, low visibility likely
Depth Range: Approx. 2–5 meters (6–15 ft)
Emergency Contacts: Ontario Provincial Police (Renfrew County), Local EMS
Permits: Likely required under Ontario Heritage Act
Dive Support: None currently known in direct vicinity
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No crew list or casualty record survives for The Muskrat. The incident resulted in vessel loss but no known fatalities.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“On May 16, 1853, a massive forest fire swept through the area, destroying Jason Gould’s wharf, storehouses, and the steamboat The Muskrat. The fire caused widespread smoke and damage, but the North Star survived because it was on the water at the time.” — Heritage Westmeath Project
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
As the vessel predates Canadian confederation and formal registry systems, no official registry or insurance trail is documented.
Site Documentation & Imaging
No formal archaeological or 3D site documentation is publicly available. Divers recovered small artifacts in 1965, but no known survey followed.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Gould’s Line – Heritage Westmeath
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Find A Grave
References
- Heritage Westmeath Project – Gould’s Line
- Personal communications, Underwater Society of Ottawa, 1965
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: Not applicable
Coordinates: Approximate shoreline of Muskrat Lake
Depth: Approx. 2–5 meters
Location Description: Shallow water off shoreline, Muskrat Lake
GPS: 45.6202° N, 76.8783° W
Vessel Type: Inland steamboat
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown
Condition: Burnt, broken remains
Cause of Loss: Forest fire while docked
Discovery Date: 1965
Discovered By: Underwater Society of Ottawa
Method: Recreational diving
Legal Notes: Ontario heritage law likely applies
Hazards: None charted
Permits Required: Yes, for artifact recovery or site disturbance