ZIMMERMAN (1854, Steamer)
Identification & Site Information:
•Vessel Name: ZIMMERMAN
•Year of Build: 1854
Construction and Ownership
•Built at: Niagara, Ontario
•Vessel Type: Steamer
•Hull Materials: Wood
•Builder Name: Louis Shickluna
•Original Owner: Oliver T. Macklem, Chippawa
•Ownership Notes: Named after Thorold financier Samuel Zimmerman
Power and Propulsion
•Propulsion: Sidewheel
•Engine Type: Vertical Beam (Walking Beam)
•# of Cylinders: 1
•Propulsion Notes: 40.5 x 144” engine built by Macklem; 28’ side wheels
Hull Dimensions
•Length: 200.3 feet
•Beam: 28.9 feet
•Depth: 9 feet
•Tonnage (Old Style): 477 tons
Vessel Type
The Zimmerman was a sidewheel steamer, a popular design for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Built in 1854 by renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna at Niagara, Ontario, the steamer was named after Samuel Zimmerman, a prominent financier from Thorold. The Zimmerman operated primarily on the Niagara-to-Toronto route, providing transportation between these important centers on Lake Ontario.
History
The Zimmerman had a notable operational history, playing a crucial role in connecting ports on Lake Ontario:
•1856, April 23: The vessel was hauled out on James A. Baker’s Marine Railway in Oswego, New York, for an overhaul. It was fitted with arches and repainted.
•1859: Owned by Captain D. Milloy, the Zimmerman continued to operate on Lake Ontario.
•1861: The steamer was strengthened and repainted, ensuring it remained in good operational condition.
•1863: At the time of its final voyage, the vessel was owned by Duncan Milloy (or Malloy) of Toronto, Ontario.
Final Disposition
On August 21, 1863, the Zimmerman was destroyed by fire near Niagara, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. The fire resulted in the tragic loss of two lives. While the ship itself was lost, the vessel’s engines were salvaged and reused in the City of Toronto (1839), although records suggest that new boilers were installed in the latter vessel at the time.
Located By & Date
There are no known modern records indicating the precise location or recovery of the wreck of the Zimmerman. Given the extent of the fire, it is likely that much of the vessel was destroyed, with only remnants of its structure potentially remaining on the lakebed.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Zimmerman near Niagara, Ontario, and no known warnings for the area.
Resources & Links
For further research and historical context:
•Maritime History of the Great Lakes
The Zimmerman is a classic example of the steamer technology that helped shape maritime transport on the Great Lakes, and its story underscores the challenges faced by steam vessels in the mid-19th century, including the ever-present risk of fire.