Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: THERESA
• Former Names: Built as D.C. WEST; may have briefly been named MAUD S. in 1885
• Official Number: C90564 (previously C72575)
• Type at Loss: Propeller, Wood, Ferry
• Builder: R. Davis, Clayton, New York
• • Year Built: 1874
• Specifications:
  • Original Dimensions (1874): 65 ft × 14 ft (19.81 m × 4.27 m), 38 tons
  • Rebuilt Dimensions (1877): 80 ft × 14 ft (24.38 m × 4.27 m), 60 tons
  • Final Dimensions (1885): 86 ft × 18 ft × 5 ft (26.21 m × 5.49 m × 1.52 m), 84 tons
• Date Lost: August 3, 1887
• Cause: Fire
• Place of Loss: Toronto Harbour, Ontario
• Waterbody: Lake Ontario
• Cargo: Unknown
• Loss of Life: Not reported
• Vessel Type

The THERESA was a wooden propeller-driven Ferry, designed for passenger and light freight service. Ferries like her played a vital role in connecting communities across Lake Ontario, supporting both urban transportation in growing cities like Toronto and regional travel between ports.

Description

Originally constructed in 1874 as the D.C. WEST by R. Davis of Clayton, New York, this vessel started as a 65-foot Ferry with modest tonnage. However, her evolving role led to significant rebuilds in 1877 and again in 1885, each time increasing her size and capacity. By the time of her final service, she measured 86 feet in length with a beam of 18 feet, making her more versatile for Ferry operations in Toronto’s bustling harbour.

Her wooden Hull and propeller-driven system reflected the technology of the era, providing reliable service in calm inland waters. She served both as a passenger Ferry and occasionally as a light cargo vessel.

History

The vessel’s life can be divided into three main phases:

• As D.C. WEST (1874–1885): Initially enrolled under U.S. registration, she operated in the Thousand Islands regionand around Lake Ontario.
• As MAUD S. (Possibly 1885): Some records suggest a brief renaming during a transitional period, possibly linked to ownership changes.
• As THERESA (1885–1887): After a major Rebuild in Toronto, she emerged with larger dimensions and renewed purpose, operating in and around Toronto Harbour.

Her final Rebuild likely included structural reinforcements and updates to her engine and passenger accommodations to meet increasing urban transportation demands.

Final Voyage & Loss

On August 3, 1887, while docked in Toronto Harbour, the THERESA was consumed by fire. The blaze spread rapidly, possibly due to the wooden construction and flammable materials common aboard ferries at the time. Despite efforts to control the fire, she was burned to a Total Loss.

The cause of the fire remains unclear in historical records, but fires aboard steamers and ferries were frequent due to engine room hazards, improper storage of flammable goods, or even arson. The rapid spread suggests the fire may have started below Deck, near the engine or cargo area.

Final Disposition

• Declared a Total Loss: August 3, 1887
• Cause of Loss: Fire (likely originating while docked)
• Location: Toronto Harbour, Ontario, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: Not officially recorded
• Recovery: There’s no record of salvage; the vessel was likely scrapped after the fire.

Located By & Date Found

• Status: No known modern wreck discovery reported
• Approximate Location: Toronto Harbour, Ontario
• Coordinates: Unknown
• Since the vessel burned at the dock, it’s possible that remnants were salvaged shortly after the fire, leaving little to no wreckage.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Obstructions: None currently recorded
• Advisories: None reported
• The site, being within a busy harbour, would have been cleared of navigational hazards shortly after the incident.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database
• Library and Archives Canada
• David Swayze’s Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The THERESA’s story reflects the dynamic evolution of Ferry services on Lake Ontario during the late 19th century. From her beginnings as the D.C. WEST to her final incarnation after significant rebuilds, she served both rural and urban communities, adapting to the changing transportation landscape.

Her loss to fire in Toronto Harbour underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden vessels in an era before modern fire prevention technologies. Despite her tragic end, the THERESA exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes vessels, many of which underwent numerous rebuilds and name changes during their operational lives.