The Canada was a sidewheel steamer built in 1826 in Rouge River (now Toronto), Ontario, Canada. It had an official number of C (none). The owner was H. Richardson of Toronto. The steamer was constructed by Jos. Dennis and launched on August 4, 1826. It was powered by two engines, each measuring 36×120, built by Ward Bros. in Montreal. The Canada operated between York (Toronto) and Niagara, with the exception of the Niagara-Hamilton route in 1835. On its maiden voyage on July 8, 1826, it completed the crossing from Toronto in 4 hours and 9 minutes.
On July 20, 1831, the Canada rescued passengers from the sunken U.S. steamboat Henry Clay in Niagara. However, the Canada met a disastrous fate. On a towing mission across Lake Ontario from the Humber River to the Welland Canal Harbour, a strong southwest gale arose about 12 miles out. The gale was so violent that it caused the large raft being towed, consisting of 15,000 feet of timber belonging to the Lock Company, to break apart and scatter in different directions. The Canada was unable to prevent the destruction of the raft.
Subsequently, on an unspecified date in 1837, the Canada was wrecked near Oswego, New York. The details regarding the loss, such as the cause, loss of life, and the cargo it was carrying at the time, are not available. The final location mentioned for the Canada is Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, indicating that it may have been towed or salvaged there after the wreck.
Sources and External Links
- Great Lakes Ships C. Patrick Labadie
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes Mills List
- John E. Poole notes, Bowling Green State University
- H. G. Runge Collection, Milwaukee Public Library
- Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley
- Erik Heyl, Early American Steamers
- Beers, History of the Great Lakes, J. B. Mansfield
