A comprehensive list of vessels on the registry books of the Dominion of Canada can be quite extensive, as it includes all ships registered under Canadian law for domestic and international trade during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These registry books contain information on sailing ships, steamships, barges, and other watercraft that operated in Canada’s waters, including the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, and coastal regions. Below is a general overview of such vessels and how to access detailed records.
Overview of the Registry Books
The Registry Books of the Dominion of Canada recorded detailed information about Canadian vessels, including:
• Vessel name and registry number.
• Type of vessel (e.g., schooner, steamer, bark, barge, tug).
• Tonnage (gross and net).
• Dimensions (length, beam, and depth).
• Port of registration.
• Owners and builders.
• Year and place of construction.
Notable Vessels on Canadian Registry Books
While a complete list is not practical to include here due to the volume of ships, the following are examples of well-documented vessel types:
Great Lakes and Inland Waters
1. Barks and Schooners:
• Magnet: A wooden schooner registered in Kingston, Ontario, known for grain transport.
• Frontenac: A bark used in timber and grain trade.
• Commodore Perry: A schooner involved in cross-border trade between Canada and the U.S.
2. Steamers:
• Montreal: A passenger and freight steamer operating on the St. Lawrence River.
• Algoma: A steamer owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, tragically lost in 1885.
• Arctic: A popular Great Lakes passenger and cargo steamer.
3. Tugs and Barges:
• Sampson: A tugboat operating out of Toronto, used for towing grain barges.
• City of Owen Sound: A barge used to haul timber.
Coastal Vessels
1. Fishing and Sealing Ships:
• Theresa: A schooner registered in Nova Scotia, used in the Grand Banks fishing trade.
• Bear: A sealing ship operating out of Newfoundland.
2. Coastal Steamers:
• Empress of Ireland: A famous Canadian Pacific liner tragically lost in the St. Lawrence River in 1914.
• Princess May: A coastal passenger steamer serving British Columbia.
3. Ocean-Going Ships:
• Nova Scotian: A steel-hulled cargo ship registered in Halifax, used in transatlantic trade.
• Shannon: A sailing ship registered in Quebec, active in the timber trade.
Accessing Detailed Records
If you are looking for a complete list or detailed records of Canadian-registered vessels, the following resources will be immensely helpful:
1. Library and Archives Canada
• https://library-archives.canada.ca
• Provides access to digitized records, shipping registries, and ship plans.
• Look for “Marine and Fisheries Canada” records for detailed information.
2. Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Offers vessel information, wreck reports, and registry details focused on the Great Lakes.
3. David Swayze’s Shipwreck Database
• A valuable resource for shipwrecked or lost vessels that were registered in Canada.
4. Great Lakes Vessels Online Index
• Bowling Green State University Database
• Covers vessels operating in the Great Lakes, including those registered in Canadian ports.
5. National Maritime Museum of Canada
• Contact regional archives for specific registry books or lists related to Canadian ports like Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver.
6. Shipping News and Historical Newspapers
• Historical newspapers, such as the Montreal Gazette or Toronto Globe, often published ship registry updates and shipping movements.
Conclusion
The Registry Books of the Dominion of Canada serve as a treasure trove for maritime historians, providing detailed records of vessels that contributed to Canada’s maritime heritage. Whether you’re searching for a specific vessel or researching shipping trends, these archives are an invaluable resource. If you’re looking for a particular ship or region, let me know, and I can help narrow the search!