Queen of the West (1851, Steamer)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Queen of the West
• Year of Build: 1851
• Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
• Hull Material: Wood
• Builder: George S. Weeks, Oswego, New York
• Built For: Canadian buyers, primarily for service on Lake Ontario.
• Hull Dimensions Length: 64.62 metres (212 feet  Beam: 7.92 metres (26 feet Depth: 3.35 metres (11 feet) Tonnage (Old Style): 439 tons

Construction and Power

The Queen of the West was completed in 1852 after receiving its machinery in Hamilton, Ontario. Propulsion: Sidewheel, equipped with unique paddle wheels featuring buckets that were curved and set at a 15-degree angle, an unusual design for the time. This could’ve been an attempt to improve propulsion efficiency or maneuverability.

Service History

The Queen of the West served as a passenger and freight Steamer on Lake Ontario, playing a role in the regional transportation network connecting Canadian and U.S. ports. Owner: At the time of her destruction, she was owned by Captain Harrison and partners based in Hamilton, Ontario.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: July 11, 1853
• Location: Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, near McPherson & Crane’s Wharf.
• Cause: Fire.

Incident Details:

The Queen of the West caught fire while docked at McPherson & Crane’s Wharf in Hamilton.  The flames caused the vessel to drift to M.W. Browne’s Wharf, further threatening the waterfront.  The Steamer Rochester towed the burning vessel out into the bay, followed by the Steamer May Flower, which towed her to the opposite shore. Despite these efforts, the ship burned to the waterline, leaving the remains in shallow water (4 feet deep).

Historical Context

The Queen of the West was a significant vessel in early steam-powered transportation on Lake Ontario. She was one of many wooden steamers designed to carry passengers and freight efficiently across the lake, a critical transportation route in the mid-19th century. Her innovative paddle wheel design demonstrates the experimentation occurring in Steamer propulsion during this period.

The fire highlights the vulnerability of wooden steamers, as fires were a common hazard due to their wood construction and coal-powered boilers. Such incidents often led to significant property losses and changes in fire prevention and safety protocols.

Current Status

The wreck of the Queen of the West has not been documented as a preserved site. Given the fire and the subsequent shallow location, it is unlikely that significant portions of the vessel remain intact. However, small artifacts or fragments could still be present at the site in Hamilton Harbour.

Resources & Links

For additional research on the Queen of the West and related vessels:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Library and Archives Canada Ship registry records or insurance claims for further details.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Hamilton Harbour Historical Society Local archives for more information about McPherson & Crane’s Wharf and the fire incident.

Conclusion

The Queen of the West exemplifies the transitional era of sidewheel steamers on the Great Lakes, contributing to Lake Ontario’s bustling mid-19th-century commerce and transportation. Her tragic loss in 1853 underscores the dangers faced by early wooden steamers, but her unique design and history shows the innovation and challenges of the time.