Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: GENERAL WOLSELEY
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer (Passenger and Freight)
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: Oakville, Ontario
- Dimensions: 121 ft (36.88 m); Beam: 22 ft (6.71 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.13 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Cape Croker, Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Official Number: Not listed in current available data
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Sidewheel Steamer (Passenger and Freight)
Description
The GENERAL WOLSELEY was a wooden sidewheel steamer originally launched as the PRINCESS OF WALES. Designed for service on Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, she was 121 feet (36.88 m) long and served primarily as a coastal packet steamer. Her purpose was to carry both passengers and freight to smaller, less accessible communities along the lakes.
History
Built in Oakville in 1884, the PRINCESS OF WALES was later renamed GENERAL WOLSELEY, possibly reflecting a change in ownership or service. She served for a very brief period, only about two years, before meeting her tragic end.
On the night of September 8, 1886, GENERAL WOLSELEY departed Owen Sound for Dyers Bay under deteriorating weather conditions. A strong west wind forced her toward the Bruce Peninsula, and as she neared Cape Croker, her engine failed. The crew dropped anchor and began emergency repairs. However, during the night a northern swell arose, snapping the anchor chain and pushing the vessel ashore.
To mitigate damage, the crew scuttled the vessel in shallow water, and cargo was immediately offloaded. By morning, the W.M. ALDERSON came to assist. However, smoke began pouring from the half-sunken steamer, and within moments she was engulfed in flames—likely started by a coal-oil lamp. The ship was entirely consumed, becoming a charred hulk.
Insurance records raised suspicion as the vessel was insured for $3,000 against stranding and $4,000 against fire—significant for that era.
Significant Incidents
- September 8, 1886: Departed Owen Sound for Dyers Bay under deteriorating weather conditions.
- Engine failure near Cape Croker led to emergency repairs.
- Anchor chain snapped due to northern swell, pushing the vessel ashore.
- Scuttled to mitigate damage; cargo offloaded.
- Engulfed in flames shortly after assistance arrived, likely due to a coal-oil lamp.
Final Disposition
Burned to the waterline and destroyed near Cape Croker, Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada on September 9, 1886.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil return — The wreck has not been formally located or documented in underwater archaeological databases.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”general-wolsely-princess-of-wales-1884″ title=”References & Links”]
The GENERAL WOLSELEY represents one of Georgian Bay’s more mysterious and short-lived steamers, tied up with speculation about insurance fraud and unfortunate maritime failure. Her brief existence and sudden demise reflect the hazards of navigating the exposed and weather-sensitive waters of the Bruce Peninsula. While her wreck has not yet been located, her legacy lives on through reports, suspicion, and maritime folklore.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: GENERAL WOLSELEY
- Former Name: PRINCESS OF WALES
- Official Registration Number: Not listed in current available data
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1884 at Oakville, Ontario
- Measurements: 121 ft (36.88 m) length, 22 ft (6.71 m) beam, 7 ft (2.13 m) depth
- Date Lost: September 8–9, 1886
Vessel Type
Sidewheel Steamer (Passenger and Freight)
Description
The GENERAL WOLSELEY was a wooden sidewheel steamer originally launched as the PRINCESS OF WALES. Designed for service on Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, she was 121 feet (36.88 m) long and served primarily as a coastal packet steamer. Her purpose was to carry both passengers and freight to smaller, less accessible communities along the lakes.
History
Built in Oakville in 1884, the PRINCESS OF WALES was later renamed GENERAL WOLSELEY, possibly reflecting a change in ownership or service. She served for a very brief period, only about two years, before meeting her tragic end.
On the night of September 8, 1886, GENERAL WOLSELEY departed Owen Sound for Dyers Bay under deteriorating weather conditions. A strong west wind forced her toward the Bruce Peninsula, and as she neared Cape Croker, her engine failed. The crew dropped anchor and began emergency repairs. However, during the night a northern swell arose, snapping the anchor chain and pushing the vessel ashore.
To mitigate damage, the crew scuttled the vessel in shallow water, and cargo was immediately offloaded. By morning, the W.M. ALDERSON came to assist. However, smoke began pouring from the half-sunken steamer, and within moments she was engulfed in flames—likely started by a coal-oil lamp. The ship was entirely consumed, becoming a charred hulk.
Insurance records raised suspicion as the vessel was insured for $3,000 against stranding and $4,000 against fire—significant for that era.
Final Disposition
Burned to the waterline and destroyed near Cape Croker, Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada on September 9, 1886.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return — The wreck has not been formally located or documented in underwater archaeological databases.
Notmars & Advisories
Nil return — No formal navigation or maritime advisories related to the site have been issued.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Ships Database – GENERAL WOLSELEY
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Shipwreck Reports
- [Shipwrecks of the Saugeen by Patrick Folkes (reference only, not online)]
Conclusion
The GENERAL WOLSELEY represents one of Georgian Bay’s more mysterious and short-lived steamers, tied up with speculation about insurance fraud and unfortunate maritime failure. Her brief existence and sudden demise reflect the hazards of navigating the exposed and weather-sensitive waters of the Bruce Peninsula. While her wreck has not yet been located, her legacy lives on through reports, suspicion, and maritime folklore.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
Keywords: General Wolseley, Princess of Wales, Georgian Bay shipwrecks, Cape Croker, 1886 ship fire, Bruce Peninsula steamers
Categories: Sidewheel Steamers, Georgian Bay Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Accidents, Insurance-Linked Maritime Losses
Glossary Terms: Scuttling, Sidewheeler, Coal-oil Lamp, Stranding Insurance, Wrecksite, Maritime Fire