HIGHLANDER

• Sidewheeler
• 10ffw 3m
• 179ft Lengths
• Garden Island, Lake Ontario
• N44 11 893 W76 27 651

Last night, a devastating fire broke out at Garden Island, resulting in the total destruction of the steamers Highlander and Hercules, both owned by Messrs. Calvin & Breck. The fire was first noticed by Mr. Watt, a resident shoemaker, on board the Highlander around ten o’clock. Within a short time, the vessel was engulfed in flames, and the nearby Hercules suffered the same fate. The two vessels were moored side by side on the north side of the wharf, where they were being stored for the winter. The Wellington and Hiram Calvin steamers were also tied up on the south side.

The strong breeze present at the time fueled the fire, making it impossible to save the vessels. The efforts of those present focused on preventing the flames from spreading to the wharf and neighboring steamers. Despite the challenges, they managed to contain the fire, although the wharf sustained some damage from the flames.

Tragically, one man lost his life in the fire on board the Highlander. The victim, Charles Kelley, had recently arrived on the vessel and was the only person on board at the time. It is believed that Kelley went to his sleeping quarters in the engineer’s room, started a fire in the stove, and fell asleep. It is unclear how the fire spread from the stove, leading to the vessel’s destruction. Kelley, a native of Cornwall, was an unmarried man.

The steamers Watertown and Pierrepont, along with a fire engine and members of the fire brigade from Kingston, were summoned to help extinguish the flames. The Mayor and several prominent citizens of Kingston also attended the scene. Unfortunately, the vessels were uninsured, and estimates of the loss ranged from $13,000 to $25,000.

It is worth noting that there was another individual named William Kelley from Cornwall residing at Garden Island, and he should not be mistaken for the unfortunate victim of the fire. Although the fire on the steamers burned out quickly, it took several hours to ensure the safety of the wharf and the other vessels.

In a separate report, it is mentioned that the steamer Highlander, now lying in the graveyard behind Garden Island, served as a gunboat during the threatened Fenian invasion in 1867. The Calvin company owned the vessel, which was fitted out by the government for patrol duty on the river. The Highlander experienced various incidents throughout its history, including being torn from moorings and sunk by a squall at Garden Island in 1861 and eventually being destroyed by fire on December 19, 1871, while in winter quarters along with the Hercules.

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