The John By was a sternwheel steamer, primarily used for passenger and freight transportation. It was built in 1832 by John Kirby in Kingston, Ontario. The steamer had a length of 110 feet and a width of 26 feet, weighing approximately 100 tons. It featured a high-pressure steam engine, which was one of the first of its kind on the Great Lakes.
The John By was specifically constructed to navigate the Rideau Canal, but due to a miscalculation in its dimensions, it was built about four feet too wide for the locks. As a result, the directors of the canal decided to use the steamer on the St. Lawrence River instead. The positioning of the paddles at the rear of the vessel, leaving a vacuum for rough seas, led to poor handling characteristics on open water.
The steamer operated on a regular route between York (now Toronto) and Kingston on Lake Ontario. It provided service for passengers and transported various types of freight.
Unfortunately, the exact details of the loss of the John By are not known, however, that the steamer was wrecked near Port Credit, a few miles from Toronto, during a storm. The specific date and circumstances of the loss are not mentioned. The fate of the crew and whether there were any casualties are also unknown.
It is worth noting that the description of the John By’s high-pressure steam engine as being “built for roasting passengers” suggests that it may have been unreliable or dangerous in its operation, possibly contributing to the challenges faced by the steamer during its service.
