The wooden steamer Ottawa was built in 1854 in Cleveland, Ohio by Luther Moses. Her official registry number was 18914 and in 1861 she was rated B1 and valued at $11,000 and in 1863 she was again rated B1, but valued at $12,300 by the Board of Lake Underwriters. In 1867 the Goodrich Line "put the old propeller Ottawa on the route"; i.e. between Chicago and Green Bay. The Ottawa replaced the steamer Backus which had burned during the winter of 1867. Captain Nathan W. Kirtland was the master of the Ottawa.
The Door County Advocate 6/20/1896 reported "Remains of the old propeller Ottawa were found on the beach about two miles south of Ahnapee last Sunday morning. The Ottawa formerly belonged to the Goodrich line, and was commanded by Capt. N.W.Kirtland. In the fall of' '68 she was sold, and a year or so afterward fire destroyed the craft."

A search of Door County Advocate 1/1869 - 12/1870 revealed no reports of the Ottawa being burned, wrecked, etc.