IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The British Queen was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its fore-and-aft rigging, with two or more masts. Built during the American Civil War, the vessel benefited from the economic conditions of the time due to the Reciprocity Treaty, which initially brought prosperity to Canadian schooners. The British Queen featured a graceful clipper bow, was known for its sturdy yet aesthetic construction, and carried significant loads such as coal, stone, and grain throughout its service life.
HISTORY: #
- Builder: R. Morgan, Smiths Bay, Marysburg, Ontario
- Original Owner: J.W. Langmuir, Picton, Ontario
- Registered: September 8, 1863, in Picton, Ontario
- Ownership Timeline:
- 1864: Owned by William Abercrombie, Picton
- 1865: Owned by J. Palen & Son, Picton
- 1866: Owned by William Abercrombie, Picton
- 1867: Owned by Charles S. Wilson, Picton
- 1870: Owned by Henry Braund, Port Hope
- 1871: Sold at Picton
- 1872: Owned by N. & O.J. Phelps, St. Catharines; rebuilt
- 1897: Registration closed; listed as “lost, destroyed or broken up.”
NOTABLE INCIDENTS: #
- 1865: The schooner ran ashore at Wellington and was towed into port.
- Source: Cobourg Sentinel, November 11, 1865.
- 1871: The vessel became waterlogged while en route from Port Hope with a cargo of lumber, arriving at Oswego in a severely compromised condition.
- Source: Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, September 21, 1871.
- 1871: Another incident in Lake Ontario left the schooner waterlogged.
- Source: Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1871, Capt. J.W. Hall.
- 1883: The British Queen brought 3,500 bushels of damaged wheat to Kingston. The cargo was insured but not damaged enough to claim an average.
- Source: Buffalo Morning Express, November 2, 1883.
- 1892: The schooner was destroyed by fire on June 2, marking its final demise.
- Source: Registration records indicate destruction by fire.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The British Queen was destroyed by fire on June 2, 1892. The incident marked the end of a vessel that had faced numerous challenges and mishaps over its operational life. The fire led to the closure of its registration on December 31, 1897, with the schooner officially listed as “lost, destroyed, or broken up.”
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the final location of the British Queen, as the vessel was destroyed by fire.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The British Queen was destroyed by fire on June 2, 1892. No wreck remains are expected to exist due to the nature of the vessel’s destruction.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
Given that the British Queen was destroyed by fire, no remains of the vessel are accessible for exploration. The final incident occurred in 1892, and the vessel was subsequently removed from the registry in 1897.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1871, Capt. J.W. Hall.
- Cobourg Sentinel, November 11, 1865.
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, September 21, 1871.
- Buffalo Morning Express, November 2, 1883.
- Merchant Vessel Lists and registration records from 1863 to 1897.
- Historic Toronto
- June 2, 1892: British Queen Burned – Belleville Daily
- June 3, 1892: British Queen Shipwreck Report – Toronto Globe
- Personal Correspondence: John Lyons and Corey Phillips, 2024
KEYWORDS: #
British Queen, schooner, wooden hull, shipwreck, fire, Lake Ontario, Marysburg, Picton, Port Hope, Belleville
ANALYSIS: #
The British Queen was a typical mid-19th-century Canadian schooner, designed for durability and utility in the challenging waters of the Great Lakes. The vessel’s service life was marked by a series of ownership changes and numerous incidents, reflecting the inherent risks of maritime commerce during this era. Built during the American Civil War, the British Queen initially thrived due to favorable trade conditions but faced declining fortunes following the lapse of the Reciprocity Treaty in 1866. The schooner’s destruction by fire in 1892 marked the end of a vessel that had become an enduring part of Great Lakes maritime history, noted for its graceful design and ability to carry significant cargoes despite numerous challenges.
