General Wolsely (Princess of Wales) (1884)

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

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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.