Frontenac 1816

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Frontenac
• Type: Wooden Sidewheel Steamer
• Year Built: 1816
• Builder: Teabout & Chapman, completed by H. Gildersleeve
• Dimensions: Length: Approx. 150 ft (45.7 m); Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Near Niagara, Lake Ontario
• Original Owners: Initial: Mrs. L. Finkle, Ernestown, Ontario; Later: J. & R. Hamilton, St. Catharines, Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Frontenac was the first Canadian steamship to operate on the Great Lakes. As a sidewheel steamer, it relied on paddle wheels powered by its steam engine to navigate the lakes. This design, combined with its wooden construction, typified early 19th-century steamship technology. Its engine from Boulton & Watt reflected cutting-edge industrial advancements of the time. Despite its pioneering status, the Frontenac was considered underpowered, often struggling to navigate routes effectively. Its performance limitations necessitated creative solutions, including supplementary services using Durham boats for connecting trips along the St. Lawrence River.

Description

The construction of the Frontenac began under Teabout & Chapman and was completed by H. Gildersleeve in Ernestown, Ontario, in 1816. Its engine, designed by Boulton & Watt of London, was originally intended for another vessel. The Frontenac made its historic debut on May 6, 1817, becoming the first Canadian steamship to operate on the Great Lakes.

History

The Frontenac primarily served routes between Kingston and Toronto, establishing a milestone in Great Lakes shipping history. However, its underpowered engine made operations challenging, often extending travel times significantly. Management addressed this by supplementing the Frontenac‘s routes with Durham boats on the St. Lawrence River.

During the winter of 1821-22, the vessel underwent its first major overhaul since construction, marking its first time out of the water.

On June 23, 1822, the Frontenac collided with the schooner Lady Maitland near Kingston, sinking the schooner. Despite this, the Frontenac continued operations until 1827.

Significant Incidents

• On June 23, 1822, the Frontenac collided with the schooner Lady Maitland, resulting in the sinking of the schooner.

Final Disposition

• Date of Incident: September 29, 1827
• Cause: Fire
• Location: Near Niagara, Lake Ontario

Current Condition & Accessibility

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or navigational hazards are associated with the Frontenac‘s wreck site.

Resources & Links

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The Frontenac is remembered as the first Canadian steamship to ply the waters of the Great Lakes, marking the beginning of steam-powered navigation in the region. Its innovative design and operations represented the dawn of a new era in transportation, even as it struggled with technical limitations. The vessel’s journey, from its launch in 1817 to its fiery destruction in 1827, highlights both the potential and the challenges of early steam-powered maritime travel. The Frontenac‘s pioneering status cements its place in Canadian and Great Lakes maritime history.