Shotline Diving

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HMS Experiment

Explore the history of the HMS Experiment, a sidewheel steamer with a rich military and commercial past, now resting in the St. Clair Flats.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: EXPERIMENT
  • Type: Steamer (Sidewheel)
  • Year Built: 1837
  • Builder: Niagara Harbor & Dock Co.
  • Dimensions: Length: 95 ft (28.96 m); Beam: 14 ft (4.27 m); Depth: 7 ft (2.13 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 150 tons
  • Location: St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair, Michigan
  • Original Owners: James Lockhart, T. Waters, various owners

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The EXPERIMENT was a sidewheel steamer, designed initially for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes. With its side-lever engine and large 22-foot sidewheels, it represented an early phase of steam propulsion technology used in Canadian inland waters. The vessel had both commercial and military roles during its operational life.

Description

Launched on July 21, 1837, the EXPERIMENT made its maiden voyage between Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario. The vessel was initially owned by James Lockhart, a prominent businessman from Hamilton, and was intended for passenger service, capitalizing on the growing demand for reliable transport between key ports on Lake Ontario.

History

During the political turmoil of the Patriot War (1837–1838), the vessel was acquired by the Canadian Government and renamed HMS EXPERIMENT. She was used to patrol Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to deter rebel activities linked to the uprisings against British colonial rule.

Key military involvement includes: November 11–12, 1838: The EXPERIMENT intercepted the American steamer UNITED STATES and destroyed its pilothouse, reflecting heightened tensions along the border during this period. Served as a patrol and enforcement vessel, supporting the suppression of cross-border rebel movements.

After its military service, the vessel returned to commercial operations under various owners:

  • 1847: Owned by T. Waters of Port Dover, Ontario, operating routes between Buffalo, NY, and Port Dover.
  • 1848: Operated between Buffalo and Port Stanley, Ontario.
  • October 2, 1848: Struck a snag while entering the Black River, Michigan, causing damage that required repairs in Buffalo.
  • 1850–1851: Ran routes between Buffalo and Dunnville, Ontario, indicating a focus on cross-border trade.
  • 1854: Listed under ownership of Port Dover parties, continuing freight and passenger service.
  • July 1858: Collided with an unidentified propeller near Mammy Judy Island, further illustrating the hazards of early steam navigation.
  • December 3, 1858: Seized in Wallaceburg, Ontario, for violating revenue laws, suggesting involvement in potentially illegal trade activities.

Significant Incidents

On November 11, 1859, the EXPERIMENT sank in the St. Clair Flats, Michigan. It was later discovered that the vessel had broken in two, likely due to structural failure exacerbated by years of wear, previous damage, and the treacherous waters of the St. Clair River delta. Although the vessel was declared a total wreck on March 13, 1860, its machinery was salvaged and later repurposed for the steamer G.W. REYNOLDS in 1864, highlighting the common practice of reusing valuable steam engines in other vessels.

Final Disposition

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the EXPERIMENT has been formally discovered or surveyed in modern times. The St. Clair Flats is a dynamic, sediment-rich environment, which may have buried any remaining parts of the vessel over time.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Wreck Location: St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair

Potential Hazards: The area is known for shifting sediments and submerged obstacles, posing risks to navigation even today.

Resources & Links

The EXPERIMENT was a pioneering sidewheel steamer that served both commercial and military roles on the Great Lakes. Built in 1837, she operated as a passenger vessel before being converted into HMS EXPERIMENT for government service during the Patriot War. After returning to commercial work, she had a checkered history marked by collisions, groundings, and even a revenue law violation before finally sinking in the St. Clair Flats in 1859. Despite her loss, the vessel’s engine lived on in another ship, symbolizing the resilience and adaptability of early Great Lakes maritime technology.