DENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION:
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Steamer Victoria was a graceful excursion steamer, once a proud symbol of summer joy and a vital connector for residents and visitors of the Rideau Lakes. Built in 1900 in Kingston, Ontario, the Victoria was known for its elegance and popularity, serving passengers seeking the tranquility and beauty of the Rideau Canal and its surrounding lakes. Measuring approximately 85 feet in length, the Victoria was one of the finest steamers of its kind during its time, offering regular excursions and moonlight cruises to destinations like Newboro, Portland, and Westport.
HISTORY:
In 1910, Captain George A. Davis, a man deeply connected to the waters of the Rideau Lakes, purchased the Victoria in Brockville. The vessel quickly became a cherished part of the local maritime landscape, ferrying passengers to various lakeside destinations and hosting popular moonlight excursions. During this period, motor cars were scarce, and boats like the Victoria were the primary means of reaching cottages and enjoying the scenic beauty of the lakes.
However, the fortunes of the Victoria began to change with the construction of the C.N.R. railway line to Portland. This new mode of transport made it easier for visitors from Ottawa to reach their destinations by train, bypassing the need for a boat ride from Smiths Falls. The rise of motor cars and the development of better road networks further reduced the steamer’s role as a primary transportation method. Despite these changes, the Victoria continued to serve as a supply boat for cottagers in her later years, and she remained a beloved presence during the annual Ferry regatta days, carrying residents to aquatic events and motor races.
The Victoria’s final voyage took place in 1928. By 1929, for the first time in eighteen years, she remained idle at her wharf, a poignant symbol of the passing of an era. Captain Davis, who had helmed the Victoria throughout her years on the Rideau Canal and Lakes, proudly recalled the vessel’s impeccable safety record, with only minor incidents marring an otherwise smooth operational history.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The Steamer Victoria, once the pride of the Rideau, was eventually retired and faded into history. The advent of the automobile and changing transportation preferences consigned the vessel to oblivion, marking the end of an era for the iconic steamer that had brought so much joy to the residents and visitors of the Rideau Lakes.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The Victoria’s final location was at her wharf along the Rideau Canal, where she remained idle after her last voyage in 1928.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- The Weekly Advance, Kemptville, Ontario, May 28, 1931, Page 7.
- Facebook Post by George Halladay – Rideau Facebook Page
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills Listing
CONCLUSION:
The Steamer Victoria’s story is a poignant reminder of a bygone era when steamers were the lifeblood of transportation and leisure on the Rideau Lakes. Though she no longer graces the waters, the Victoria’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who sailed on her decks and in the history of the Rideau Canal. The rise of modern transportation may have rendered her obsolete, but the Steamer Victoria remains a cherished symbol of maritime adventure and summer delight.
KEYWORDS: Steamer Victoria, Rideau Lakes, Rideau Canal, Excursion Steamer, Kingston Ontario, Captain George Davis, Maritime History, Smiths Falls, Ontario, C.N.R. Railway, Moonlight Excursions, Supply Boat, Ferry Regatta, Early 20th Century Steamers.
