J.W. Steinhoff (Queen City, Canada) C 71101

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: J.W. Steinhoff
• Type: steamship
• Year Built: 1874
• Builder: Jenkins, Wallaceburg, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length: 123.2 ft (37.55 m); Beam: 24.1 ft (7.34 m); Depth of hold: 8.7 ft (2.65 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 311.8 gross tons / 208.55 net tons
• Location: Colpoys Bay, Georgian Bay, Ontario
• Official Number: 71101
• Original Owners: J.W. Steinhoff, Toronto Navigation Company, Owen Sound & Georgian Bay Park & Summer Resort Company, Chew & Doty

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The J.W. STEINHOFF was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven steamship, commonly referred to as a “propeller,” typical of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th century.

Description

The STEINHOFF was a single-decked wooden steamship, powered by a high-pressure screw propulsion system. It featured an 18″ x 18″ engine producing 120 horsepower, built by R. Parkinson in Chatham, Ontario. The vessel underwent significant modifications over its lifespan, including the installation of a compound engine in 1889 and the addition of a hurricane deck and forward pilothouse in 1894.

History

Launched in 1874, the J.W. STEINHOFF began service running routes between Chatham, Windsor (Ontario), and Detroit (Michigan). The vessel was remeasured under new tonnage rules in 1877, increasing its registered tonnage. A fire in 1879 severely damaged the ship while docked in Detroit, but it was rebuilt in Chatham, signifying the ship’s value and continued demand in regional commerce.

Ownership of the vessel changed frequently, reflecting shifts in regional shipping needs. It ran routes connecting Sandusky, Ohio, to Windsor, Amherstburg, and Pelee Island during the early 1880s. In 1885, the ship faced legal trouble after being seized at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for smuggling—an activity not uncommon during that era on the Great Lakes.

By 1886, it was licensed to carry 155 passengers, operating between Buffalo and Fort Erie under R.G. Barrett of Toronto. The ship saw mechanical upgrades, including a compound engine installed in 1889, to improve efficiency. After joining the Victoria Park Steamboat Company in 1896, the vessel was renamed QUEEN CITY, serving the Chatham–Toronto route. Under new ownership in 1901 by the Toronto Navigation Company, it was renamed again to CANADA.

The final commercial chapter saw ownership by the Owen Sound & Georgian Bay Park & Summer Resort Company and later by Chew & Doty of Midland, Ontario. The ship was dismantled and abandoned in Owen Sound in 1909 and ultimately scuttled in Colpoys Bay, Georgian Bay, in 1911.

Significant Incidents

• 1879: Fire severely damages the ship while docked in Detroit.
• 1885: Seized at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, for smuggling.

Final Disposition

After decades of varied service, the ship was dismantled and scuttled intentionally in 1911 in Colpoys Bay, part of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron. This was a common practice for vessels deemed no longer seaworthy, providing potential use as breakwaters or simply as a means of disposal.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No specific information is available regarding the exact discovery or documentation of the wreck site. No current notices to mariners (NOTMARs) or obstructions are officially listed for the wreck site in Colpoys Bay.

Resources & Links

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The J.W. STEINHOFF, later known as QUEEN CITY and CANADA, was a versatile and resilient vessel that reflected the dynamic maritime commerce of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its varied ownership, mechanical upgrades, and shifting routes highlight the adaptability required of steamships operating in this era. Although scuttled over a century ago, its history contributes to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime heritage.