Identification & Site Information

• Name: Queen Victoria
• Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner
• Builder: Calvin & Cook (with Counter noted as a possible additional partner)
• Year Built: 1839
• Built At: Kingston or Garden Island, Ontario
• Original Owner: J. Flood, Hamilton, Ontario (later possibly J. Hood)
• Registry Port: Hamilton, Ontario
• Hull Construction & Dimensions
• Hull Material: Wood
• Rigging: Schooner, carvel-built, with standing bowsprit and square Stern
• Number of Decks: 1
• Number of Masts: 2
• Figurehead: Included a decorative figurehead
• Dimensions (Old Style): Length: 95 feet (28.9 m) Beam (Breadth): 17.7 feet (5.4 m) Depth of Hold: 8.8 feet (2.7 m)
• Tonnage: 134 tons (old system), approximately 200 tons carrying capacity

Chronology and Modifications

• Launch Date: July 1839
• Rebuilt: 1849 (details of changes unknown)
• Ownership Change: By 1854, owned by Hood in Hamilton, Ontario
• Surveyor and Certificate Date: William Pring, January 15, 1853

History and Purpose

The Queen Victoria was built to meet the growing demand for vessels in the Great Lakes lumber trade, particularly for the Kingston Stave Forwarding Company. At the time of her construction, she was celebrated as the largest and strongest Schooner on the Great Lakes, capable of carrying 200 tons of cargo.

The vessel primarily operated in the lumber trade, transporting staves, lumber, and other materials from ports on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario to destinations including Quebec. The Kingston Stave Forwarding Company was deeply involved in timber rafting, and vessels like the Queen Victoria were crucial to their operations. These operations also highlighted the regional economic shift toward Kingston, Ontario, as a lumber processing and shipping hub.

Significant Events

• Launch (July 1839): The Queen Victoria’s launch from Garden Island was a grand event. The Steamer Kingston ferried spectators from Kingston and French Creek to witness the ceremony. After an initial hesitation to glide into the water, the ship entered Lake Ontario “in admirable style,” accompanied by cheers from onlookers.
• Economic Impact: The Schooner’s service contributed to the regional economy by enabling the export of staves and timber. The Kingston Stave Forwarding Company’s success illustrated the burgeoning trade routes of the era, though they were hampered by restrictions on American vessels participating in cross-border trade.
• Trade Between Ports: The Schooner was instrumental in transferring freight between Kingston, Millan’s Bay, NY, and other ports, particularly given the limited availability of British vessels at the time.

Final Disposition

The Queen Victoria’s fate remains unclear, with the Hamilton Shipping Register noting it as “Gone” by the time of the registry update in 1853. This could indicate decommissioning, a sale to an unknown owner, or loss in service. No recorded shipwreck has been associated with the vessel.

Significance

The Queen Victoria serves as an example of the critical role schooners played in the Great Lakes’ economic development during the 19th century. The vessel highlights the importance of timber trade, the challenges of cross-border commerce, and the rise of Kingston as a shipping hub. Its construction and operations reflect the evolving maritime technology and trade dynamics of the pre-industrial Great Lakes.

Resources & References

• Upper Canada Herald, July 16, 1839, detailing the launch and operations.
• Kingston Chronicle & Gazette, July 17, 1839, documenting the Schooner’s early service.
• Port of Hamilton Shipping Register (1846–1874), National Archives of Canada (Microfilm reel C-2465).
• Contributions by maritime historian Rick Neilson.