The Lord Elgin, bearing the official number 33457, was a notable vessel with a rich history. Originally built in Oswego, New York, USA in 1845, it was a screw propeller-driven ship measuring 116 feet in length, 21 feet in width, and weighing 153 tons. It operated primarily on Lake Ontario and was owned by M. W. Browne of Hamilton in 1852, before passing through various partnerships.
The ship had a previous registration in the United States under the name “Syracuse” before being registered in Canada. Unfortunately, its fate took a tragic turn when it met its demise. On November 25, 1853, while racing the “Crescent” for a lock in the Beauharnois Canal, the Lord Elgin collided with the gates, abruptly ending navigation for that year.
The final blow came on December 2, 1856, when the Lord Elgin was wrecked at Long Point in Lake Erie, Ontario, Canada. It suffered irreparable damage and was deemed a total loss. The news of its loss spread, with reports appearing in newspapers such as the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser and the Toronto Globe, confirming the unfortunate fate of the vessel.
In the harsh winter weather, the steamer Lady Elgin also ran aground near Presque Isle in Lake Ontario, creating a series of maritime mishaps during that period. The Lord Elgin’s ill-fated journey concluded with its final cargo of 2,000 barrels of flour, along with the ship itself, succumbing to the depths, leaving behind a tale of loss and the harsh realities faced by seafarers of the time.
