Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Frances Smith
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Melancthon Simpson, Owen Sound, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 182 ft (55.5 m); Beam 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth of hold null
- Registered Tonnage: 1,324 tons
- Location: Collingwood, Ontario
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Not documented
- Number of Masts: Not applicable
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Frances Smith was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer, a common design in the mid-19th century for passenger and cargo transport on inland waters. Sidewheel steamers utilized large paddle wheels mounted on either side of the vessel for propulsion, driven by steam engines.
Description
Constructed in 1867, the Frances Smith was the first steamboat built in Owen Sound, Ontario, and at the time, the largest vessel on Georgian Bay. She was renowned for her luxurious accommodations and was considered a “palace steamer,” setting standards for comfort and service on the Upper Great Lakes. In 1888, the vessel was renamed Baltic. Her service came to an end in 1896 when she was destroyed by fire at Collingwood, Ontario.
History
The Frances Smith played a significant role in the development of maritime transport on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Her construction marked a milestone in Canadian shipbuilding, being the first steamer built in Owen Sound. Throughout her nearly three decades of service, she was a symbol of luxury and innovation, offering unparalleled comfort to passengers traveling on Georgian Bay and Lake Superior. Her destruction by fire in 1896 at Collingwood marked the end of an era for such grand steamers on the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- 1896: Destroyed by fire while docked at Collingwood, Ontario.
Final Disposition
In 1896, while docked at Collingwood, Ontario, the Frances Smith was consumed by fire and destroyed. Details regarding the cause of the fire or any salvage efforts are not documented in the available records.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no record of the wreck being located or identified in subsequent years. No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with this wreck.
Resources & Links
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The Frances Smith stands as a testament to the grandeur and ambition of 19th-century Great Lakes maritime endeavors. Her construction marked a significant achievement in Canadian shipbuilding, and her service set new standards for passenger comfort and luxury. Though her physical presence has been lost to time, the legacy of the Frances Smith endures through historical records and the memories of her contributions to Great Lakes maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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