A 100-foot-long paddlewheel steamboat, the LADY COLBORNE caught fire at the Alymer wharf. To avoid setting the village on fire, it was set adrift and floated into Britannia Bay, where it later sank. Click the link to see a newspaper advertisement
The Lady Colborne, a sidewheel steamboat, was built in Aylmer, Quebec in 1833. With approximate dimensions of 100 feet in length and 34 feet in width, it was a significant vessel of its time. The Lady Colborne was owned by Blackburn & Grant, and it was constructed by W. Grant, with the launch taking place on October 30, 1832.
Tragically, the Lady Colborne was involved in a devastating fire while at the Aylmer wharf. In order to prevent the fire from spreading to the village, the decision was made to set the vessel adrift. It floated into Britannia Bay, where it eventually sank.
The fire that consumed the Lady Colborne not only resulted in the loss of the vessel but also posed a significant risk to the surrounding area. By setting it adrift, the hope was to prevent further damage and potential harm to nearby structures. However, despite these efforts, the vessel eventually met its final resting place at the bottom of Britannia Bay.
The sinking of the Lady Colborne serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by steamboats of that era and the catastrophic consequences that could arise from onboard fires. It stands as a testament to the challenges faced by early maritime transportation and the measures taken to protect lives and property in the face of adversity.
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