Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Beaver
  • Year of Build: Not specified
  • Built at: Not specified
  • Type: Paddlewheel Steamboat
  • Hull Materials: Wood
  • Number of Decks: 1
  • Length: 103 feet (31.39 metres)
  • Beam: Not specified
  • Depth: Not specified
  • Tonnage: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The Beaver was a wooden Paddlewheel Steamboat designed based on the “fiddleboat plan,” which featured a recessed middle section to house the paddle wheels. This design improved the vessel’s maneuverability and efficiency, making it well-suited for operation along the rivers and canals of the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston triangle.

History

The Beaver was an integral part of the regional transportation network during the 19th century, ferrying passengers and goods across waterways that were essential to commerce and settlement. The vessel’s ability to navigate narrow and shallow channels underscored the versatility of Paddlewheel steamboats during this period.

Over its operational life, the Beaver faced several significant challenges:

  • September 1844: The vessel sank in Merrickville, along the Rideau Canal. It was salvaged and returned to service.
  • 1854: The Beaver sank again, this time in Mud Lake, a key route on its operational path. Despite this, the vessel was recovered and continued to serve.
  • 1868: The Beaver met its ultimate end when it was destroyed by fire near Ottawa. The exact details of the fire, including its precise location, are not documented.

Despite these incidents, the Beaver remained a crucial component of the region’s transportation infrastructure until its destruction.

Final Disposition

The Beaver was destroyed by fire in 1868, ending its operational life. The fire occurred near Ottawa, but detailed accounts of the event and its exact location remain unknown.

Notices & Advisories

NOTMARs: There are no active Notices to Mariners or official advisories related to the Beaver wreck.

Resources & Links

Keywords Beaver Paddlewheel Steamboat Montreal Ottawa Kingston Fiddleboat Plan 19th-century maritime history Wooden shipwreck Fire Merrickville Mud Lake

Conclusion

The Beaver’s history highlights the critical role Paddlewheel steamboats played in shaping transportation and commerce during the 19th century. Despite two sinkings and its eventual destruction by fire, the vessel’s resilience and continued operation underscore the ingenuity and importance of these ships in the waterways of the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston region. The Beaver’s ultimate loss is a testament to the risks inherent in early steam navigation and the challenges faced by maritime operators of the era.