The Dagmar, a sidewheel vessel, was built in 1866 in Montreal, Quebec. It had the dimensions of 126 feet in length, 23 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 405.
The vessel was initially owned by the Ottawa River Navigation Co. in 1867 and later transferred to the Montreal & Ottawa Forwarding Co. in 1874. In 1877, ownership changed again, this time to the Victoria Park Co. in Toronto, possibly through a charter agreement.
The Dagmar served as a market boat on the lower reach of the Ottawa River, making stops at various locations. In 1881, it began operating between Toronto and Victoria Park. However, it soon returned to Montreal.
The vessel was originally launched under the name “Fairy” but was promptly renamed Dagmar in honor of Queen Victoria’s daughter. The Dagmar was licensed to carry up to 400 passengers in 1886.
Tragically, on March 12, 1890, the Dagmar met its demise. A fire broke out, resulting in the complete destruction of the vessel. The incident occurred in Como, Quebec, marking the final location of the Dagmar before its untimely end.
The exact cause and circumstances of the fire that led to the burning of the Dagmar are not specified in the available information. Nonetheless, this event serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by vessels during their operations and highlights the importance of proper safety measures to prevent such incidents.
