The Canada: A Sidewheel Steamer of Early Great Lakes Navigation

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Canada

• Type: Sidewheel Steamer

• Year Built: 1826

• Builder: Jos. Dennis

• Construction Location: Rouge River (now Toronto), Ontario, Canada

• Engines: Two engines, 36×120, built by Ward Bros., Montreal

• Owner: H. Richardson, Toronto, Ontario

• Dimensions: Not specified

• Final Resting Place: Near Oswego, New York, with later mentions of Port Hope, Ontario

• Date of Wreck: Circa 1837

Vessel Type Description

The Canada was a Sidewheel Steamer, a vessel design that revolutionized transportation on the Great Lakes in the early 19th century. Powered by paddle wheels on each side of the Hull, sidewheel steamers were well-suited to carrying passengers and goods across the often-turbulent waters of the lakes. The Canada was among the earliest steamers built in the Toronto region, marking the beginning of a new era in inland water navigation.

History

The Canada was launched on August 4, 1826, from the Rouge River (near modern-day Toronto). Designed for service on Lake Ontario, it connected the rapidly growing city of York (Toronto) with Niagara. The ship’s engines, constructed in Montreal by Ward Bros., provided it with impressive power for the time, completing its maiden voyage from Toronto to Niagara in 4 hours and 9 minutes on July 8, 1826.

The vessel played a critical role in regional transportation and shipping. Operating between York and Niagara, the Canada was an essential link for passengers and goods. In 1835, it temporarily served the Niagara-Hamilton route, diversifying its operations to meet local demands.

One of the Canada’s most notable moments came on July 20, 1831, when it rescued passengers from the sunken U.S. Steamboat Henry Clay in Niagara. This act of bravery underscored the ship’s role not only in commerce but also in the safety of Great Lakes navigation.

Final Voyages

In its later years, the Canada undertook towing missions across Lake Ontario. On one such journey, while towing a large raft of 15,000 feet of timber from the Humber River to Welland Canal Harbour, it encountered a violent southwest gale. About 12 miles out, the storm scattered and destroyed the timber raft, marking one of the ship’s significant setbacks.

By 1837, the Canada met its final fate when it was wrecked near Oswego, New York. The circumstances of the wreck remain unclear, with no specific details on whether the ship succumbed to a storm, grounding, or other causes. There is no record of loss of life during this incident. Subsequent reports suggest the Canada may have been salvaged or towed to Port Hope, Ontario, but no definitive evidence confirms its condition or use after this point.

Legacy

The Canada was an early pioneer of steam-powered navigation on the Great Lakes. As one of the first sidewheel steamers in the Toronto area, it played a crucial role in connecting communities and supporting commerce. Its rescue of the Henry Clay’s passengers stands as a testament to the courage and utility of such vessels during the early 19th century.

Despite its eventual wreck, the Canada’s contributions to the development of Great Lakes shipping and passenger transportation remain significant. Its story reflects the challenges of early steam navigation, including technological limitations, unpredictable weather, and the perils of towing large loads across vast and volatile waters.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database, C. Patrick Labadie

• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes Mills List

• John E. Poole Notes, Bowling Green State University

• H.G. Runge Collection, Milwaukee Public Library

• Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley

• Erik Heyl, Early American Steamers

• Beers, History of the Great Lakes by J.B. Mansfield

Keywords

Canada Steamer, Lake Ontario shipping, Rouge River steamboats, 19th-century maritime history, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Sidewheel Steamer, Henry Clay rescue, Port Hope wreck.