IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION: #
Vessel Type Description #
The Evangeline was a wooden yacht constructed in 1869, known for its elegant design and fine craftsmanship. Built at Cowes, Isle of Wight, a town renowned for its shipbuilding and yachting culture, the vessel featured a screw propulsion system, a popular and efficient choice for yachts of that era. The Evangeline was a relatively small yacht, with a single deck and dimensions that made it suitable for personal leisure and light cruising, particularly along coastal and inland waters.
History #
The yacht began its life under the name Zenobia in 1869. Renowned for its construction quality, Zenobia represented the shipbuilding expertise of Cowes. After some years, the yacht was renamed Evangeline and eventually made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to Canada.
By 1886, the Evangeline was owned by E. Sullivan of Algoma, Ontario. Sullivan kept the yacht until at least 1895. Ownership later transferred to C. & T. C. Sims, also based in Algoma, by 1901. Throughout its time in Canada, the Evangeline was likely used for private recreation and transportation, navigating the Great Lakes and nearby inland waters.
Final Disposition #
The Evangeline’s service came to a tragic end when it was destroyed by fire near Goat Island in Ontario, Canada. The details surrounding the fire, including its cause and the exact circumstances, remain unclear from the available records. The loss of the Evangeline marked the conclusion of a vessel that had a storied past, from its construction as Zenobia in England to its final days in Canada.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Evangeline have been identified.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- British Whig (Kingston, ON), July 16, 1884: Provides historical references to the yacht under its former name, Zenobia, and details its construction at Cowes, Isle of Wight.
- Canadian Maritime History Archives: For further research on yachts and vessels from the late 19th century operating in Canadian waters.
CONCLUSION: #
The Evangeline (formerly Zenobia) was a well-crafted yacht that saw several decades of service under various owners in Ontario, Canada. Its destruction by fire at Goat Island marked the end of a vessel that had crossed oceans and served its owners faithfully. The yacht’s history is a reflection of the era’s shipbuilding expertise and the importance of personal vessels in the lives of those who could afford them. The Evangeline’s story, though ending in tragedy, remains a part of the rich maritime history of Ontario.
KEYWORDS: #
Evangeline, Zenobia, Yacht, Goat Island, Algoma Ontario, 19th-century maritime history, Wooden yacht, Cowes Isle of Wight, Maritime fire.
