Shipwreck Report: Passenger Vessel Comet

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Comet
  • Vessel Type: Passenger Vessel
  • Year Built: 1900
  • Builder: Opemican, Quebec
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 99 feet (30.2 meters)
    • Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters)
    • Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters)
  • Propulsion: Screw Propulsion System
  • Owner: A. Lumsden, Ottawa, Ontario
  • Location: Lake Temiskaming, Quebec, Canada
  • Final Resting Place: Opinicon Narrows, Lake Temiskaming

Vessel Type Description

The Comet was a screw-propelled passenger vessel built for transportation across Lake Temiskaming. With its practical design and modest size, the Comet facilitated regional travel, connecting communities and promoting commerce in the early 20th century. Its reliable operation made it an essential part of the lake’s transportation network, providing services crucial to the area’s economic and social vitality.

History

The Comet was launched in 1900 in Opemican, Quebec, under the ownership of A. Lumsden of Ottawa. For two years, the vessel served as a dependable means of transportation, carrying passengers and goods across Lake Temiskaming. Its routes played a critical role in connecting isolated communities, fostering trade, and supporting regional development.

Final Disposition

  • On February 8, 1902, the Comet was destroyed by a catastrophic fire at the Opinicon Narrows in Lake Temiskaming. The fire ravaged the vessel, leaving it in ruins and marking the abrupt end of its operations.
  • Cause of Fire: The exact cause remains unknown, with no conclusive records providing further details.
  • Condition of Wreck: The vessel was consumed entirely by flames, and its charred remains are thought to rest at the bottom of the lake near the site of the incident.

Despite its short-lived career, the Comet remains a symbol of early maritime transportation in the region, highlighting the challenges faced by ships operating on Canada’s inland waters.

NOTMARs & Advisories

  • Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the wreck of the Comet.
  • Advisory: Mariners navigating the Opinicon Narrows area should be aware of the lakebed conditions but are unlikely to encounter hazards from the wreck.

Located By & Date

The wreck of the Comet has not been definitively located or explored. It is believed to rest in the general vicinity of Opinicon Narrows in Lake Temiskaming.

Current Condition & Accessibility

  • Visibility: The wreck remains undisturbed and has not been mapped or examined in detail.
  • Depth: Exact depth unknown but assumed to be within moderate diving range, potentially offering exploration opportunities for divers interested in historical wrecks.
  • Preservation Status: Likely in poor condition due to fire damage and prolonged submersion in freshwater.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Comet represents an important chapter in the maritime history of Lake Temiskaming. Despite its short service life, the vessel played a pivotal role in connecting and supporting lakeside communities. The fire that consumed the Comet underscores the perils of early passenger transportation, where fire was a persistent risk. The site of the wreck remains a historical point of interest, meriting further exploration to uncover the vessel’s story beneath the waters of Lake Temiskaming.

Keywords #Comet #PassengerVessel #LakeTemiskaming #Shipwreck #MaritimeHistory #EarlyTransportation #FireIncident #ScrewPropulsion