IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: Cibola

•Type: Unspecified Vessel

•Location: Buried beneath railway tracks near Toronto’s waterfront

•Fate: Buried by sand inundation and later covered by freight tracks in the redevelopment of Toronto’s waterfront

•Current Condition: Presumed buried and inaccessible beneath urban infrastructure

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Cibola is one of several vessels that became part of Toronto’s maritime graveyard, also known as the “boneyard.” While little is known about the specifics of the Cibola, it was likely part of Toronto’s bustling waterfront during the 19th century, contributing to the economic and transportation activities of the Great Lakes region.

HISTORY

The Cibola was one of many vessels Abandoned or lost during Toronto’s early waterfront development era. These vessels often served for decades, transporting cargo or passengers, before reaching the end of their serviceable life. Many such ships were either scuttled, Abandoned, or destroyed by fire, and the remains of vessels like the Cibola became part of the boneyard.

The boneyard was a significant feature of Toronto’s waterfront, housing the skeletal remains of numerous vessels, including the Schooner F.F. Cole, the Echo, the Annie Mulvey, and the unique Knapp Roller Boat. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, waterfront redevelopment efforts gradually obscured these remains. Sand inundation and subsequent infrastructure projects, such as the construction of railways to serve Union Station and Toronto’s growing industrial needs, ultimately buried the Cibola and other relics of the past.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Cibola was buried during the redevelopment of Toronto’s harbor and waterfront. Its remains are presumed to be under the railway tracks used for freight transport bypassing Union Station. The exact location and condition of the Cibola are unknown, and it is unlikely that any part of the vessel remains accessible due to its burial beneath modern urban infrastructure.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or specific warnings pertain to the Cibola, as it is no longer located in navigable waters.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: Buried beneath railway tracks and layers of sediment, likely in a state of advanced deterioration or disintegration.

•Accessibility: Completely inaccessible due to urban infrastructure above its burial site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Schooner Days CMXLVIII (948): Provides historical context and mentions of the boneyard vessels, including the Cibola.

•Toronto Historical Archives: Potential source for further details on the development of Toronto’s waterfront and its impact on shipwrecks and buried vessels.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website

CONCLUSION

The Cibola represents a forgotten chapter of Toronto’s maritime history, symbolizing the transition from a bustling waterfront to the modern urban landscape we see today. While its remains are buried and inaccessible, the vessel’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the city’s rich maritime past and the sacrifices made in the name of progress. For historians and enthusiasts, the Cibola and its companions in the boneyard remain tantalizing glimpses of an era when Toronto’s waterfront was at the heart of the Great Lakes shipping industry.