Shipwrecks, Collisions and Accidents in St. Lawrence/Great Lakes Waterway, 1848-1900

Publication
The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord (St. John's, NL), Apr 1996, p. 43-66
Description
Creator
Camu, Pierre, Author
Media Type
Text
Item Type
Articles
Description
There is quite a literature about shipwrecks at sea or in the confined waters of gulfs, deltas or rivers. Indeed, wrecks have long exerted a fascination because of their spectacular results, often involving losses of vessels and lives and leaving as mute testimony smashed ships, floating debris or empty lifeboats. In many cases, shipwrecks are associated with major natural disturbances, such as gales, hurricanes, snow storms, intense fog or strong currents; sometimes, they are related to dangers inherent in particular stretches of water. But the existence of a wreck is not necessarily indicative of the hazardousness of navigation, since there are numerous other reasons for accidents, including errors of judgement, displacement of cargo and faulty equipment. A n y analysis of the reason for shipwrecks must do more than simply plot and narrate the most famous.1 In this essay I will analyze the patterns and causes of wrecks in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and Gulf.2 A number of conclusions arise from the study, but perhaps the most important is the improved safety associated with the transition from wind to steam and wood to steel.
Date of Publication
Apr 1996
Date Of Event
1848-1900
Subject(s)
Accidents
Disasters
Shipwrecks
Language of Item
English
Geographic Coverage
  • Gulf of St. Lawrence
    Quebec, Canada
    Latitude: 48.25 Longitude: -62
  • Lake Erie
    Ontario, Canada
    Latitude: 42.454166 Longitude: -81.121388
  • Lake Huron
    Ontario, Canada
    Latitude: 44.640833 Longitude: -81.768055
  • Lake Ontario
    Ontario, Canada
    Latitude: 43.795555 Longitude: -77.905555
  • St. Lawrence River
    Ontario, Canada
    Latitude: 45.196666 Longitude: -74.331388
Copyright Statement
Protected by copyright: Uses other than research or private study require the permission of the rights holder(s). Responsibility for obtaining permissions and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
Copyright Holder
Canadian Nautical Research Society
Recommended Citation
The Northern Mariner/Le Marin du nord, VI, No. 2 (April 1996), 43-66.
Contact
Canadian Nautical Research Society

The Maritime History of the Great Lakes is managed by Walter Lewis

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Shipwrecks, Collisions and Accidents in St. Lawrence/Great Lakes Waterway, 1848-1900


There is quite a literature about shipwrecks at sea or in the confined waters of gulfs, deltas or rivers. Indeed, wrecks have long exerted a fascination because of their spectacular results, often involving losses of vessels and lives and leaving as mute testimony smashed ships, floating debris or empty lifeboats. In many cases, shipwrecks are associated with major natural disturbances, such as gales, hurricanes, snow storms, intense fog or strong currents; sometimes, they are related to dangers inherent in particular stretches of water. But the existence of a wreck is not necessarily indicative of the hazardousness of navigation, since there are numerous other reasons for accidents, including errors of judgement, displacement of cargo and faulty equipment. A n y analysis of the reason for shipwrecks must do more than simply plot and narrate the most famous.1 In this essay I will analyze the patterns and causes of wrecks in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River and Gulf.2 A number of conclusions arise from the study, but perhaps the most important is the improved safety associated with the transition from wind to steam and wood to steel.