COMET – 1848

Other Names #

• MAYFLOWER

Site Description #

Comet- Sidewheeler by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

The steamship Comet was constructed in 1848 by G. N. Ault at Fisher’s yard in Portsmouth, Ontario. Its initial trials took place in Hay Bay later that year. However, in October of the same year, the ship ran aground at Galops Rapids. Another stranding occurred in Highland Creek near Toronto in 1848. Ownership of the vessel changed hands, with J. & L. Platt of Adolphustown, Ontario, initially owning it and later transferring ownership to Macpherson & Crane.

Tragedy struck the Comet when it experienced a devastating boiler explosion on March 11, 1849, in Toronto, resulting in two fatalities. Another boiler explosion occurred on April 20, 1851, in Oswego, claiming the lives of eight individuals. The Rome Watertown & Canada Steamboat Line operated the vessel in 1853, forming a joint venture between an American railroad and two Canadian forwarders. Over the years, the ownership of the Comet passed through several different partnerships.

In 1861, the ship underwent a significant rebuilding effort and emerged with new dimensions of 180 ft. x 26 ft. x 10 ft. (with a width over the paddle boxes of 44 ft.). However, tragedy struck once again when the Comet sank on May 14, 1861, after colliding with the schooner Exchange near Nine-Mile Point in Lake Ontario.

The Comet’s construction was overseen by G. N. Ault at Fisher’s yard in Portsmouth, Ontario, and it was launched on June 14, 1848. Initially, the vessel encountered difficulties while being launched and had to be pulled free by the “William IV.” Its trial trip took place on July 29, 1848, to the Platt estate in Hay Bay, Ontario, without cabins. In 1850, significant expansions were undertaken, including the addition of new cabins on deck and an overall promenade deck. The ship featured a 140 ft. main saloon.

Photo Gallery 2022 Matthew Charlesworth CC #

The tragic boiler explosion in Toronto on April 20, 1851, resulted in the loss of lives and severe damage to the Comet. The vessel was later raised under the supervision of George S. Weeks and floated to the marine railway in the lower harbor. One victim’s body was still missing, leading to speculation that it might be in the boat but was not found there.

Throughout its service, the Comet operated primarily on Lake Ontario, but it also made occasional trips to Quebec, including destinations such as Saguenay and Rimouski, in the mid-1850s.

Photo Gallery 2010 Tom Rutledge CC #