Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Algoma
• Former Names: City of Toronto (original name), Racine (1863), renamed Algoma in 1864
• Official Number: C46235
• Date Built and Launched: 1839 (some sources suggest 1841)
• Builder: Niagara Harbour & Dock Co. [A. Cantin], Niagara, Ontario
• Vessel Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer, Passenger & Package Freight
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:
• Length: 163 ft (49.7 m)
• Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m)
• Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 758 tons
• Net Tonnage: 624 tons
• Date Lost: Winter of 1877
• Place of Loss: Collingwood, Ontario
• Lake: Lake Huron
• Type of Loss: Foundered (later recovered)
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Type:
Wooden sidewheel steamer, originally designed for mail and passenger service, later repurposed as a towboat. Equipped with twin engines and one of the first vessels on the Great Lakes to feature walking beam engines visible above deck.

Description:
The Algoma was a significant vessel in Great Lakes maritime history, originally built as the City of Toronto in 1839 (or possibly 1841) by the Niagara Harbour & Dock Co. Measuring 163 feet (49.7 m) in length with a beam of 24 feet (7.3 m) and a depth of 11 feet (3.4 m), she was a large and advanced steamer for her time.

The vessel was twin-engined, making her one of the first on the Great Lakes to showcase this technology. The engines featured a pair of walking beams above the decks—a hallmark of early steamship engineering. The Algoma was originally built along the lines of the Halifax mail steamer Acadia and underwent multiple modifications throughout her lifespan. In 1850, her wooden paddle wheels were replaced with iron paddles, a significant technological upgrade for the era.

History:
The Algoma had a dynamic and eventful career on the Great Lakes:

• 1839-1852: As the City of Toronto, she served as a premier mail and passenger steamer, operating key routes and earning a reputation for speed and reliability.
• 1852: The vessel transitioned from passenger service to a towboat, reflecting the evolving needs of maritime commerce on the lakes.
• 1863: After suffering a fire at Niagara, the vessel was sold to American owners, rebuilt in Detroit, and renamed Racine. She operated on Lake Michigan and between Detroit and various other ports for about a year.
• 1864: Resold to Canadian interests, she was renamed Algoma and received her first official number (C46235).
• 1866 & 1870: Underwent additional rebuilds in Detroit, reflecting continued use and adaptation for new roles, including freight transport and towing.

Final Voyage and Loss:
In the winter of 1877, the Algoma foundered in Collingwood, Ontario, on Lake Huron. While the specifics of the incident are not well-documented, it is known that she was declared a total wreck. However, the vessel was later recovered, patched up, and returned to service.

Despite this near-catastrophic event, the Algoma continued to operate until 1888, when she was finally dismantled and abandoned at Collingwood due to age and obsolescence.

Final Disposition:
After being dismantled in 1888, the remains of the Algoma were left in Collingwood, Ontario. There is no record of the wreck being salvaged beyond its dismantling.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no confirmed modern discovery of the remains of the Algoma, though remnants may exist at her dismantling site in Collingwood.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No current navigational hazards related to the Algoma are reported in Collingwood, Ontario.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

Conclusion

The Algoma‘s long and storied career reflects the evolution of Great Lakes maritime technology and commerce during the 19th century. From a prestigious mail and passenger steamer to a hard-working towboat, the vessel adapted to meet the changing demands of the region’s shipping industry. Despite multiple rebuilds and even a fire, she remained active for nearly 50 years before her eventual dismantling in 1888. The Algoma stands as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes vessels during a transformative period in maritime history.

Keywords: Sidewheel Steamer, Lake Huron, Collingwood, Walking Beam Engine, Mail Steamer, Towboat, Ship Rebuild
Categories: Great Lakes Steamships, Lake Huron Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime History
Glossary Terms: Sidewheel Steamer, Foundered, Walking Beam, Twin Engines, Iron Paddle Conversion