Identification & Site Information

•Name: Burlington

•Other Names: Scotland (post-Rebuild)

•Type: Sidewheel Steamer (later Rebuilt as a Three-Masted Schooner)

•Year Built: 1837

•Builder: Unspecified, Oakville, Ontario

•Tonnage:

•As Steamer: 150 tons

•As Schooner (Scotland): Approx. 98 feet (29.9 m)

•Final Location: Toronto, Lake Ontario

•Date of Wreck: March 27, 1841

Vessel Type Description

The Burlington was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, a design popular for passenger and freight transportation on the Great Lakes in the early 19th century. Sidewheel steamers utilized large paddle wheels on either side of the Hull for propulsion, making them effective for navigating inland waterways. The Burlington later underwent significant transformation, being Rebuilt as a three-masted Schooner named Scotland in 1847.

History

Service as a Sidewheel Steamer

The Burlington was constructed in 1837 in Oakville, Ontario, to serve the growing need for efficient passenger and freight transportation on Lake Ontario. The vessel’s service life as a Steamer was short-lived but integral to the burgeoning trade and travel routes of the Great Lakes.

Tragic Fire in 1841

On March 27, 1841, the Burlington was destroyed by fire while docked in Toronto. The exact circumstances of the fire remain unclear, and there is little documentation about the potential loss of life or cargo. The event marked a tragic end to the vessel’s role as a Steamer.

Rebuild as the Schooner Scotland

In 1847, the salvaged Hull of the Burlington was repurposed in Toronto to construct the Schooner Scotland. This Rebuild exemplifies the era’s practical approach to shipbuilding, where components from damaged or destroyed vessels were often reused. The Scotland took on a new role, likely serving the trade routes of the Great Lakes, though records of its operations are scarce.

Final Disposition

The Burlington met its end as a Steamer due to the 1841 fire in Toronto. The vessel’s remains were later transformed into the Schooner Scotland, whose ultimate fate is not well-documented. It is presumed that the Scotland continued service for some years before being decommissioned or lost.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no known remains of the Burlington in its original form, as its Hull was reused to create the Schooner Scotland. The location and condition of the Scotland, post-Rebuild, are unknown, and no wreck site associated with either vessel has been documented.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Public Domain Resources for 19th-Century Ships

Conclusion

The story of the Burlington highlights the resilience of 19th-century maritime practices, where vessels were often reborn in new forms after accidents or damage. Though the Burlington’s life as a Sidewheel Steamer ended abruptly in 1841, its legacy continued through its transformation into the Schooner Scotland. The vessel’s history is a small but significant chapter in the narrative of Great Lakes shipping, reflecting both the dangers and ingenuity of early maritime commerce.

Keywords

Burlington, Scotland, Sidewheel Steamer, Schooner, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Oakville Ontario, Toronto fire, 1841 ship fire, 19th-century maritime history, Great Lakes navigation.