The Britannia was a sidewheel steamer built in 1833 in Montreal, Quebec. It had a length of 132 feet 3 inches, a beam of 26 feet 4 inches, and a depth of 8 feet. The Britannia had a tonnage of 298 56/94 (old style). It was originally owned by John & David Torrance of Montreal.
The steamboat was propelled by sidewheels and had a vertical beam engine (walking beam) that enabled it to reach a speed of 12 miles per hour. The Britannia was known for its elegant and comfortable fittings, with a promenade deck along its entire length. It had cabins for gentlemen and ladies, as well as a steerage cabin.
In November 1833, the Britannia sank in Kingston, Ontario, likely due to an accident. It was raised and rebuilt in 1839, with its dimensions changed to 130 x 24 feet. The ownership of the vessel changed several times over the years. In 1856, the Britannia was dismantled at Garden Island, Ontario, and its engine was used in the construction of a new steamer named Wellington.
