Identification & Site Information

• Name: Queen City
• Former Names: Lady of the Lake (renamed in 1853)
• Official Registration Number: None (Canadian registry)
• Date Built and Launched: 1842, by G.S. Weeks, Oswego, New York
• Measurements: Length: 197 ft (60 m) Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m) Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Tonnage: 423 tons
• Date of Loss: January 22, 1855
• Place of Loss: Toronto Harbour, near Queen’s Wharf, Toronto, Ontario

Vessel Type

The Queen City was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer designed for passenger and package freight transport on Lake Ontario. As part of the early fleet of steam-powered vessels operating between Toronto and Hamilton, the Queen City represented the transition from sail to steam in Canadian maritime commerce. Sidewheel steamers were particularly suited for short-distance regional routes and provided vital connections between growing urban centres along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Description

Originally built in 1842 as the Lady of the Lake by G.S. Weeks in Oswego, New York, the vessel was a 197-foot-long wooden Sidewheel Steamer. She was constructed for passenger service and the transport of package freight, offering a faster and more reliable alternative to traditional sailing ships on Lake Ontario.

In 1853, the vessel was sold to Canadian interests and renamed Queen City, reflecting Toronto’s nickname and its emerging prominence as a commercial hub on the lake. Under her new ownership by M.W. Browne of Toronto, the Queen City operated regular routes between Toronto and Hamilton, becoming a familiar sight in Upper Canada’s growing maritime network.

History and Service Life

Built in Oswego, New York, the vessel initially served on Lake Ontario under the name Lady of the Lake, providing both passenger transport and freight services. Oswego was a significant shipbuilding center during this period, and the vessel likely operated routes between Oswego, Kingston, and other Lake Ontario ports.

In 1853, the Steamer was sold to Canadian ownership under M.W. Browne of Toronto and renamed Queen City. The vessel became an essential part of the Toronto-Hamilton route, which was experiencing increased traffic due to the region’s growing population and economic development. The Queen City was noted for her reliability and operated through mild winter conditions, a rarity for Great Lakes steamers, which typically ceased operations during the winter freeze.

Final Disposition and Loss (1855)

• Cause of Loss: Fire
• Date of Loss: January 22, 1855
• Location: Toronto Harbour, near Queen’s Wharf, Lake Ontario

In January 1855, during an unseasonably mild winter, the Queen City was docked at Queen’s Wharf in Toronto Harbour when she caught fire. The cause of the fire is unclear, but it quickly spread, threatening not only the vessel but also the dock and other ships tied up nearby.

To prevent the fire from spreading to the wharf and causing further damage, the Queen City was cut loose and allowed to drift out into the harbour, where she eventually came to rest against an ice floe. The vessel burned to the waterline, becoming a Total Loss.

Loss of Life

None: No casualties were reported in connection with the fire. The crew likely evacuated the vessel once the fire was detected, and the prompt action to cut her loose minimized the risk to nearby vessels and dockworkers.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Queen City remained in Toronto Harbour for over a year. In the summer of 1856, the charred remains were removed to clear the harbour for shipping operations. It is unknown whether any components of the vessel were salvaged for reuse.

Historical Significance

Contribution to Canadian Maritime Commerce: The Queen City was part of a wave of steam-powered vessels that facilitated the growth of commerce and passenger transport in Upper Canada during the mid-19th century. Her regular service between Toronto and Hamilton reflects the importance of regional shipping routes in connecting emerging cities.

Early Use of Steam Technology As a Sidewheel Steamer built in 1842, the vessel represents the early adoption of steam technology on the Great Lakes, marking the transition from traditional sailing ships to steam-powered transportation.

Role in Toronto’s Maritime History: The vessel’s loss in Toronto Harbour highlights the vulnerabilities of wooden steamships to fire hazards. Despite the destruction, the swift response of those onshore prevented a larger disaster, showcasing early fire management practices in maritime operations.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no known navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Queen City, as the vessel was removed from Toronto Harbour in 1856.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • Great Lakes Maritime Database
• • David Swayze Shipwreck File
• • Toronto Maritime Heritage Society
• • Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston

Conclusion

The Queen City, originally launched as the Lady of the Lake in 1842, served as a sidewheel passenger and freight Steamer on Lake Ontario for over a decade before her destruction by fire in Toronto Harbour in 1855. After being sold to Canadian ownership in 1853, she became a key vessel on the Toronto-Hamilton route, supporting the growing economic and social networks of Upper Canada.

Her loss highlights both the technological advancements and vulnerabilities of early steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes. While the Queen City was ultimately destroyed, her role in the development of Toronto’s maritime commerce underscores her importance in Canadian shipping history.

Suggested Keywords: Queen City Sidewheel Steamer, Toronto Harbour shipwrecks, Lake Ontario steamers, Lady of the Lake Steamer, Canadian maritime history, fire in Toronto Harbour 1855.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario, Early Steamships of Canada, Maritime History of Toronto, Fires on Great Lakes Steamers.

Glossary Terms: Sidewheel Steamer, Wooden Steamship, Package Freight Vessel, Toronto Harbour Navigation, Great Lakes Maritime Fires.