Shipwreck Report: Steamer Waterloo (1840)

Identification & Site Information

• •Vessel Name: Waterloo
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer, Wooden Ferry
• Built: 1840, Black Rock, New York
• Builder: Unknown
• Specifications
  • Original Length: 90 feet (27.4 metres) (before 1844 Rebuild)
  • Enlarged Length (1844): 126 feet (38.4 metres) Beam: 18 feet (5.5 metres)  Depth: 6 feet (1.8 metres) Tonnage: 141 tons

History and Service

Construction and Early Service (1840-1844)

The Waterloo was built in 1840 in Black Rock, New York, a significant shipbuilding hub near Buffalo. It was constructed as a Sidewheel Steamer and primarily served as a Ferry on Lake Erie and the Niagara River.

Rebuild and Enlargement (1844) In 1844, the vessel was Rebuilt and lengthened from 90 feet to 126 feet, increasing its capacity. This suggests that the Waterloo was either carrying increasing passenger loads or that it had expanded into a more extensive Ferry or cargo transport operation.

Georgian Bay Wreck Incident (1846) In 1846, the Waterloo stranded and wrecked on Georgian Bay, an area known for its treacherous Navigation Hazards.  It was recovered and returned to service, indicating that the damage was not severe enough to permanently disable the vessel.

Final Ownership and Captain By 1849, the vessel was owned and captained by Sylvanus Staring of Buffalo, New York.  He was also likely involved in the regional shipping or Ferry business.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: October 17, 1849
• Location: Black Creek, Niagara River, near Black Rock, NY
• Cause: Fire
• Cargo: Unknown
• Loss of Life: None
• Estimated Financial Loss: $6,000 (a significant sum in 1849)

Details of the Fire

The Waterloo was moored at the dock at Black Creek when it caught fire and burned to a Total Loss. No lives were lost, suggesting that the vessel was either unoccupied or that the fire was detected in time for evacuation. The loss was complete, meaning that it was not salvaged for further use.

Notable Connection to Other Vessels

Engine Components Reuse:  Part of the Waterloo’s engine was previously used in two earlier vessels:

• Walk-in-the-Water (1818) – The first steam-powered vessel on the Great Lakes.
• Superior – Another early Great Lakes Steamer. This suggests that Waterloo’s machinery was second-hand, which was a common practice in early Steamboat construction.

Legacy and Significance

Early Steamboat and Ferry Development The Waterloo was part of the first wave of steamboats that established Ferry and passenger transport networks on the Niagara River and Lake Erie.  Its enlargement in 1844 indicates the growing importance of steamboats in regional transportation.

Connection to Early Great Lakes Steam Power Its engine’s ties to the Walk-in-the-Water link it directly to the earliest steam-powered navigation on the Great Lakes.

Navigation and Hazards on the Great Lakes The 1846 wreck on Georgian Bay highlights the dangers of early navigation, as many vessels of this period ran aground or were lost due to poor charts and treacherous conditions.

Further Research and Resources

• Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society  May contain records related to early Black Rock-built steamers.
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston  https://www.marmuseum.ca Holds archives on 19th-century steamers on the Great Lakes.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca  Features historical accounts and newspaper clippings regarding Lake Erie shipwrecks.
• Library of Congress Ship Registers May have enrollment records on the Waterloo and other Great Lakes vessels.

Conclusion

The Waterloo (1840) was an early Sidewheel Steamer that played a role in the Great Lakes Ferry system before meeting its destruction by fire in 1849. With connections to legendary vessels like the Walk-in-the-Water, its story is an important part of the evolution of steam navigation on Lake Erie and the Niagara River. Though lost, its role in early maritime transport and its reuse of historic steam technology remain valuable insights into 19th-century Great Lakes shipping.