BAY QUEEN (1853, Scow Schooner)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: BAY QUEEN
•Year of Build: 1853
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: Bath, Ontario
•Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Number of Decks: 1
•Builder Name: Richardson
Power and Masts
•Number of Masts: 2
Hull Dimensions
•Tonnage (Old Style): 132 tons
Vessel Type
The Bay Queen was a two-masted wooden scow schooner, a type of flat-bottomed vessel designed for transporting bulk goods such as wheat, timber, and other cargo on the Great Lakes. Scow schooners were commonly used due to their stability and ability to navigate shallow waters. Built in 1853 at Bath, Ontario, the Bay Queen was used extensively in the grain trade on Lake Ontario.
History
•1860: The vessel was owned by R. Davy of Bath, Ontario.
•1863: Ownership transferred to S.R. Palmeter, also from Bath, Ontario.
•1866: On its final voyage, the Bay Queen was carrying a cargo of wheat when it encountered a storm that ultimately led to its wrecking.
The vessel was part of the busy Great Lakes grain trade, transporting wheat from various ports to larger cities where it could be processed or shipped further. Scow schooners like the Bay Queen were vital in supporting the growing agricultural economy of the Great Lakes region during this period.
Final Disposition
On November 17, 1866, the Bay Queen was wrecked near Colborne, Ontario, on Lake Ontario, just one mile west of the town. While the vessel was carrying a load of wheat at the time, the crew was fortunate to survive the incident. The ship, however, was lost to the storm.
Located By & Date
There are no modern records of the wreck of the Bay Queen being located. Given its wrecking close to shore, it is possible that the remains of the ship were salvaged or deteriorated over time.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Bay Queen, though the area west of Colborne, Ontario, has seen numerous shipwrecks over the years due to storms on Lake Ontario.
Resources & Links
For further research, consider these resources:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The Bay Queen’s wreck near Colborne highlights the frequent danger faced by schooners on the Great Lakes, particularly during the late fall when storms were common.
