Identification & Site Information

• Wreck Name: Queen Victoria
• Former Names: None
• Official Registration Number: None (Canadian registry)
• Type at Loss: Sidewheel Steamer, Wood
• Builder: Gilkinson at Niagara Harbour and Dock Co., Niagara, Ontario
• Year Built: 1837
• Specifications: Length: 130 ft (39.6 m) Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m) Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Tonnage: 200 tons
• Date of Loss: October 16, 1851
• Place of Loss: Niagara River
• Lake: Erie

Vessel Type

The Queen Victoria was a wooden sidewheel steamer built in 1837 during the early expansion of steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steamers like the Queen Victoria were pivotal in the development of regional transportation, serving both passenger and freight needs in Upper Canada (now Ontario) and the Great Lakes basin.

Description

Constructed by Gilkinson at the Niagara Harbour and Dock Co. in Niagara, Ontario, the Queen Victoria measured 130 feet in length, with a 20-foot beam and a 7-foot depth. The vessel was rated at 200 tons, typical of the mid-19th century wooden steamers that connected communities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

The Queen Victoria was part of a fleet that operated in Ontario’s inland waterways, providing essential services for both passenger transport and light cargo. Her sidewheel propulsion system was powered by wood-burning boilers, a common feature before the widespread adoption of coal-fired steam engines.

Historical Summary

Launch and Early Service (1837–1851). Launched in 1837, the Queen Victoria served as a regional Steamer, operating primarily along the Niagara River and Lake Erie. The vessel likely transported passengers, goods, and mail, playing a vital role in connecting the emerging communities of Upper Canada with U.S. ports across Lake Erie.

Ownership: The vessel was probably owned by R. Jones of Belleville, Ontario, though records from the period are limited. Belleville was a significant hub along the Bay of Quinte, and ownership by a Belleville-based businessman suggests the Queen Victoria may have been part of a larger network of regional steamers.

Final Disposition and Loss (1851)

• Cause of Loss: Stranded on Rocks
• Date of Loss: October 16, 1851
• Location: Head of the Niagara River, Lake Erie

On October 16, 1851, the Queen Victoria ran aground on rocks at the head of the Niagara River. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, but navigational errors in the fast-moving currents of the Niagara River were a common hazard for vessels operating in the area. The rapids and rocky outcroppings near the river’s head posed a significant risk, particularly for wooden-hulled steamers with shallow drafts.

The vessel was wrecked on the rocks, and though there was no loss of life, the Queen Victoria was Abandoned as a Total Loss. Given the limitations of salvage technology at the time, it was likely impossible to recover the vessel from its perilous position near the Niagara River’s dangerous currents.

Loss of Life  None: Despite the stranding, there were no fatalities associated with the wreck of the Queen Victoria. This suggests that the vessel was likely close to shore or in a navigable section of the river where rescue efforts could be mounted swiftly.

Final Disposition

The Queen Victoria was Abandoned after becoming stranded on the rocks of the Niagara River. There are no records indicating any attempts to salvage the vessel, and it was considered a Total Loss. The ship likely broke apart over time due to the powerful currents and seasonal ice flows of the Niagara River.

Historical Significance

Early Steam Navigation on the Great Lakes: The Queen Victoria represents an early generation of Great Lakes steamers, part of the transition from sail-poweredto steam-powered vessels that revolutionized inland navigation in North America. Built in 1837, the vessel was launched during a period of rapid industrial growth and technological advancement in maritime transportation.

Role of Niagara Harbour and Dock Co.: The vessel’s construction at the Niagara Harbour and Dock Co. highlights the importance of regional Shipyards in supporting local economies and transportation networks. The Niagara region was a critical hub for maritime trade, with Shipyards producing vessels that served both commercial and passenger needs across Lake Erie and beyond.

Navigational Challenges of the Niagara River: The Queen Victoria’s loss underscores the dangers faced by mariners navigating the Niagara River. The swift currents, shoals, and rocky outcroppings made the river a treacherous route, even for experienced crews. Incidents like this contributed to later efforts to improve navigation aids and safety measures along the river.

Wreck Discovery and Current Status

There are no known records indicating the current status of the Queen Victoria’s wreck. Given the location and the powerful currents of the Niagara River, it is likely that the remains of the vessel have been scattered or destroyedover time.

Potential for Future Discovery: While the exact site of the wreck is undocumented, it remains a point of historical interest for maritime historians and archaeologists studying early steam navigation on the Great Lakes.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

• There are no current NOTMARs issued for the Queen Victoria wreck site.
• The fast-moving currents and rapids of the Niagara River pose significant hazards for any potential exploration or diving activities in the area.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• Niagara Historical Society & Museum
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Library and Archives Canada

Conclusion

The Queen Victoria, a wooden Sidewheel Steamer built in 1837 by the Niagara Harbour and Dock Co., played a vital role in the early steam navigation of the Great Lakes. Her loss in 1851 on the Niagara River reflects both the dangers of early maritime navigation and the technological challenges faced by 19th-century mariners. Though the vessel is long gone, her story remains a testament to the pioneering spirit of Great Lakes shipping in the age of steam.

Suggested Keywords: Queen Victoria Steamer, Niagara River shipwrecks, Great Lakes sidewheel steamers, Niagara Harbour and Dock Co., Early steam navigation Great Lakes, 19th-century Canadian shipwrecks.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Early Great Lakes Steamers, Maritime Disasters on the Niagara River, Canadian Shipbuilding History.

Glossary Terms: Sidewheel Steamer, Stranded Vessel, Great Lakes Steam Navigation, Niagara River Maritime History.