IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Sir Robert Peel

•Type: Sidewheeler Steamboat

•Year Built: 1837

•Built By: William Parkins, Brockville, Ontario

•Length: 160 feet (48.8 meters)

•Depth at Wreck Site: 50–150 feet (15–45 meters)

•Location: Wellesley Island, NY, St. Lawrence River

•Coordinates: N44° 18.040’, W75° 59.176’

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Sir Robert Peel was a sidewheel Steamboat constructed in 1837, featuring advanced engineering for its time. Its engine cylinders, built by Ward Bros. in Montreal, had a bore of 32 inches and a stroke of 10 inches, making it powerful enough to navigate challenging rapids. The vessel’s sleek design included a shallow Draft of 4 feet (1.2 meters), allowing it to operate in shallow waters while carrying 75 berths and a 68-foot dining cabin. Initially serving the Prescott-Coteau route, it later transitioned to operate on the Prescott-Oswego-Cobourg-Toronto route.

HISTORY

•Launch and Early Service:

The Sir Robert Peel was launched on May 5, 1837, with much fanfare, reflecting its importance in connecting communities along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Its design was tailored for passenger comfort and efficiency, a hallmark of Canadian steamboats of the era.

•Incidents:

On May 16, 1838, while engaged in a race with the Great Britain near Oswego, the Sir Robert Peel caught fire. The damage was minor, but it was a harbinger of the vessel’s eventual fate.

•Demise:

On May 29, 1838, during the Patriot War, the Steamboat was attacked by rebels led by the infamous “Pirate” Bill Johnston. While moored near Wellesley Island, the vessel was set ablaze and destroyed. The attack heightened tensions between Canada and the United States, as the rebels sought to disrupt British control in the region.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the Sir Robert Peel now lies at depths ranging from 50 to 150 feet (15 to 45 meters) in the St. Lawrence River near Wellesley Island. The vessel’s boilers are located at a depth of 70 feet (21 meters), while the bow sits at approximately 135 feet (41 meters). The Hull, though severely burnt, retains some structural integrity below the waterline, with sides rising 8 feet (2.4 meters) in some places.

SITE DESCRIPTION & DIVE INFORMATION

•Depth: 50–150 feet (15–45 meters)

•Current Condition:

The wooden Hull remains partially intact, though the decks are gone. Inside the Hull are remnants such as broken dishes, pipes, and boiler bed bricks. The bow retains some fittings, including hawse pipes and a portion of the bowsprit.

•Accessibility:

The wreck lies beneath the main shipping channel, making diving challenging due to strong currents and the potential for passing freighters. Late fall, when currents are weaker and Visibility improves, is the optimal time for exploration.

•Noteworthy Features:

•The boilers and machinery are accessible at shallower depths.

•Artifacts, including broken dishes and structural components, offer insights into the vessel’s history and construction.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Sir Robert Peel. Divers must exercise caution due to the strong currents and busy shipping lanes above the wreck.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The Sir Robert Peel was named after the prominent British statesman and Tory Baronet, Sir Robert Peel. Its destruction was a pivotal event in the Patriot War, highlighting the volatile relationship between Canada and the United States during this period. The attack by Bill Johnston, a former British ally turned American folk hero, cemented the vessel’s place in the turbulent history of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website

•Brockville Recorder Historical Archives

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed shipwreck records for the Great Lakes region.

CONCLUSION

The Sir Robert Peel is a remarkable historical and diving site, offering a glimpse into the early Steamboat era on the Great Lakes. Its association with significant historical events, including the Patriot War and the life of Pirate Bill Johnston, adds depth to its story. Today, the wreck serves as a time capsule, preserving the remnants of one of the St. Lawrence River’s most storied vessels.

This site, though challenging to access, remains a compelling destination for advanced divers and maritime historians.