Otter (steamship)

History

Colony of Vancouver Island, Colony of British Columbia
Name:	Otter
Laid down:	London, England
In service:	1830s on
General characteristics
Propulsion:	screw-steamer

The Otter was the second steamship to operate in the Pacific Northwest of North America, following its sister ship and twin, the much more famous Beaver. The Otter, a sidewheeler, was used to service trading posts maintained by the Hudson's Bay Company between Puget Sound and Alaska and like its sister the Beaver became pressed into service during the Fraser Gold Rush on the Lower Fraser River from 1858 onwards. From 16 April 1855 to 3 April 1862 the Otter was captained by William Alexander Mouat.