Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Belle

•Type: Wooden Steamer

•Year Built: 1850

•Builder: J.W. Banta, Buffalo, New York

•Hull Dimensions:

•Length: 142 feet (43.3 metres)

•Beam: 21 feet 8 inches (6.6 metres)

•Depth: 8 feet 2 inches (2.5 metres)

•Tonnage: 240.02 tons

•Propulsion: Sidewheel Steamer powered by two engines

•Boiler: One low-pressure boiler

•Final Disposition: Foundered on May 16, 1852, off Cape Croker, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

Vessel Type Description

The Belle was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, a design widely used in the mid-19th century for passenger and cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Sidewheel steamers, with their distinctive paddle wheels on either side, were well-suited to the calmer conditions of the lakes but were vulnerable to storms due to their relatively shallow drafts and exposed design.

History

The Belle was built in 1850 in Buffalo, New York, and began its service on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s brief history includes notable events that highlight its role in regional maritime activity:

•November 1850: Assisted in rescuing the Schooner William, which had run aground on rocks near Dunkirk, New York, on Lake Erie.

•June 1851: Operated a daily service between Buffalo, Silver Creek, Dunkirk, and Barcelona, facilitating passenger and freight transport.

•1852: Chartered by Charles Thompson of Collingwood, Ontario, the Belle began operating between Penetanguishene and Sault Ste. Marie, further integrating into the expanding transportation network of Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes.

Despite its promising start, the Belle’s career was cut short on May 16, 1852, when it ran ashore in thick fog off Cape Croker in Georgian Bay during a storm. The vessel was declared a Total Loss. Details about the number of lives lost and the cargo on board remain unknown, adding a layer of mystery to the tragedy.

Final Disposition

The Belle was lost on May 16, 1852, off Cape Croker in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The Steamer ran aground in thick fog during a storm, resulting in its complete destruction. No records provide clarity on whether lives were lost or the nature of the cargo carried at the time.

Notices & Advisories

No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the Belle wreck site, and its exact location is undocumented or unmarked on current navigational charts.

Resources & Links

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•Canadian Heritage Ship Information Database

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Keywords

•Belle

•Sidewheel Steamer

•Wooden Steamer

•Cape Croker

•Georgian Bay

•Lake Huron

•Charles Thompson

•Great Lakes Shipwreck

•19th-Century Maritime History

Analysis

The Belle‘s story provides a snapshot of early Steamboat operations on the Great Lakes. Its rescue mission, passenger service, and eventual charter for Canadian routes illustrate the critical role such vessels played in connecting communities and supporting commerce during the mid-19th century. However, the vessel’s short lifespan and untimely loss at Cape Croker highlight the dangers faced by mariners navigating the unpredictable weather and fog-prone waters of Georgian Bay. The Belle’s sinking remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced during the early days of Great Lakes steam navigation.