HERCULES

• Side Wheeler
• 10 – 20ffw
• 100ft length
• Garden Island, Lake Ontario
• N44 11 914 W76 27 633

The steamship HERCULES, constructed in 1856 by Henry Roney at Garden Island, Ontario, was primarily used as a towboat. It was owned by Dexter D. Calvin and operated under the ownership of Calvin & Breck. The vessel featured a sidewheel propulsion system powered by a 57 x 120″ engine.

With dimensions of 122.2 feet in length, 25.8 feet in beam, and 11.5 feet in depth, the HERCULES had a gross tonnage of 470. However, its history was marked by unfortunate incidents. On September 10, 1858, a boiler explosion occurred on the St. Lawrence River, resulting in the loss of seven lives.

Ownership of the vessel transferred to Calvin & Breck of Garden Island in 1860, and it remained under their ownership when they relocated to Kingston, Ontario, in 1866. By 1869, the HERCULES had a gross tonnage of 470.

Tragedy struck the HERCULES on December 9, 1871, when it burned in its winter quarters at Kingston, Ontario, along with the vessel HIGHLANDER. The fire completely destroyed the steamship. In an attempt to salvage the vessel, recovery efforts were made on June 5, 1873. However, the HERCULES remained in its final resting place at the bottom of Lake Ontario.