Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: THAMES
• Former Name: LADY COLBOURNE (renamed before her first voyage)
• Official Number: None (Canadian registry)
• Type at Loss: Sidewheel Steamer, Wood, Passenger & Package Freight
• Builder: Jenkinson, Chatham, Ontario
• Year Built: 1833
• Specifications: Length: 80 ft (24.38 m) Beam: 17 ft (5.18 m)
• Tonnage: 160 tons
• Date Lost: December 4, 1838
• Cause: Fire (Arson during a raid)
• Place of Loss: Windsor, Ontario
• Waterbody: Detroit River
• Cargo: Unknown
• Loss of Life: None

Vessel Type

The THAMES was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, designed for passenger and package freight service along the Detroit River and surrounding waterways. Sidewheel steamers were common in the early to mid-19th century, offering relatively fast and reliable transportation before the widespread use of railroads.

Description

Built in 1833 by Jenkinson in Chatham, Ontario, the THAMES was originally named LADY COLBOURNE but was renamed prior to her maiden voyage. Measuring 80 feet in length with a beam of 17 feet, she was a modest-sized Steamer, well-suited for navigating the narrow channels and river routes between Ontario and Michigan. Her sidewheel propulsion system allowed for better maneuverability in the shallow, swift waters of the Detroit River.

Owned by Duncan McGregor of Chatham, the THAMES operated as a passenger and package freight vessel, connecting communities along the river and contributing to the economic growth of Upper Canada during a time of increasing cross-border commerce.

History

The THAMES served during a volatile period in Canadian and American history marked by the Upper Canada Rebellionof 1837–1838. This conflict, part of a series of uprisings against British colonial rule, spilled over into the United States, where sympathetic groups known as the “Patriots” organized cross-border raids to support the rebellion.

The vessel was active during this tense era, likely ferrying goods, passengers, and even military supplies along the strategic Detroit River corridor. The THAMES represented both a critical transportation link and, unintentionally, a target for political agitators.

Final Voyage & Loss

On December 4, 1838, the THAMES was docked at Windsor, Ontario, when a raiding party of more than 500 armed men, composed of Canadian rebels and American sympathizers, launched an attack during what became known as the Patriot War. The raiders, motivated by a desire to overthrow British rule in Canada, viewed vessels like the THAMES as symbols of colonial authority and tools of the British government.

The Steamer was set ablaze intentionally—an act of arson carried out as part of the broader assault on Windsor. The raid resulted in widespread destruction, including the burning of buildings, the sinking of vessels, and skirmishes with local militia. Despite the chaos, no lives were lost in the burning of the THAMES itself.

Final Disposition

• Declared a Total Loss: December 4, 1838
• Cause of Loss: Deliberate arson during the Patriot War raid
• Location: Windsor, Ontario, along the Detroit River
• Casualties: None reported

After the fire, the remains of the THAMES were likely left to deteriorate or salvaged for any reusable materials. Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the intensity of the blaze, little would have remained intact.

Located By & Date Found

• • Status: Wreck not officially located
• • Approximate Location: Windsor, Ontario, Detroit River
• • Coordinates: Not available

Due to the vessel’s destruction at a dockside location, any remnants likely lie buried under subsequent urban development or silt deposits in the river.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Obstructions: None officially recorded
• Advisories: None reported

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database
• Library and Archives Canada
• David Swayze’s Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The loss of the THAMES is a striking reminder of the turbulent political climate that existed along the Great Lakesduring the early 19th century. Far from a simple maritime accident, her destruction was an act of war, tied directly to the complex interplay of Canadian rebellion, American intervention, and the broader struggles of the time.

While the THAMES is not as widely remembered as other vessels of the era, her fiery end during the 1838 Windsor raidunderscores the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure during conflicts—and the way in which even small steamers became pawns in the larger battles for power and independence on both sides of the border.