Shipwreck Report: DROMEDARY (1868)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: DROMEDARY
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None (Canadian registry)
• Type at Loss: Propeller, wood-hulled, package freight Steamer
• Date Built and Launched: 1868
• Builder: Andrews & Son, Port Dalhousie, Ontario
• Measurements: 120 ft (36.6 m) length, 23 ft (7.0 m) beam, 11 ft (3.4 m) depth; 255 gross tons, 174 net tons
• Date Lost: November 18, 1882
• Place of Loss: Hamilton, Ontario, Lake Ontario

Vessel Type

Wooden-Hulled Propeller Steamer (Package Freight Carrier)

Description

The DROMEDARY was a wooden-hulled Propeller Steamer, built in 1868 by Andrews & Son at Port Dalhousie, Ontario. Measuring 120 feet in length and 255 gross tons, she was designed to transport package freight—smaller cargo shipments that required quick and efficient transport between ports.

Steamboats like the DROMEDARY were critical to the economic growth of Lake Ontario communities, connecting towns like Hamilton, Toronto, and Kingston with supplies, manufactured goods, and agricultural products. These vessels often followed scheduled routes, making them an essential part of the regional shipping network before rail transport became dominant.

The DROMEDARY underwent a major Rebuild in 1880, suggesting either repairs from damage or structural modifications to extend her operational life.

History

The DROMEDARY was owned by Barrows & Co., a shipping firm based in Hamilton, Ontario. She regularly plied the waters of Lake Ontario, delivering merchandise, agricultural goods, and other freight to ports along the lake.

On November 18, 1882, the vessel had just finished unloading her cargo in Hamilton and was moored for the night at the wharf. During the night, her banked fires overheated, leading to a catastrophic fire. Wooden-hulled steamers were particularly vulnerable to such fires, as dry wooden decks, stored fuel, and enclosed boiler rooms could allow flames to spread rapidly.

Despite the destruction, no lives were lost, as the crew was not aboard at the time.

The DROMEDARY was declared a Total Loss, though her machinery was later salvaged. The burned-out Hull was raised the following year, but there is no evidence that the vessel was ever Rebuilt.

Final Disposition

Destroyed by fire while moored in Hamilton, Ontario, on November 18, 1882. The Hull was raised in 1883, but not Rebuilt. No lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—the Hull was raised in 1883, and no known wreck site remains.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the DROMEDARY.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Hamilton Harbour History Project

Conclusion

The DROMEDARY‘s loss in 1882 highlights the dangers of fire aboard wooden steamships, a common hazard during the 19th century. Built in 1868, she served for 14 years as a package freight carrier, connecting the growing cities and towns along Lake Ontario. Though Rebuilt in 1880, she ultimately fell victim to overheated banked fires, a risk that many steamers faced when docked overnight.

While her Hull was raised, her destruction marked the end of her service, leaving behind a cautionary tale about the perils of steam-powered shipping in the Great Lakes region.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: DROMEDARY Steamer fire, Hamilton Ontario shipwreck, Lake Ontario package freight carrier, Andrews & Son shipbuilders, Barrows & Co. shipping
• Categories: Lake Ontario Shipwrecks, Wooden Steamships, Fire-Related Shipwrecks, Package Freight Steamers, 19th Century Maritime Losses
• Glossary Terms:
• Banked Fires: A practice where ship boilers were kept burning at a low level while a vessel was docked, sometimes leading to accidental overheating and fire.
• Package Freight: A type of cargo transport involving smaller, mixed shipments rather than bulk goods like coal or grain.
• Raised Hull: Refers to a salvaged shipwreck where the Hull is lifted from the water, usually to recover materials or attempt repairs.