Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Queen of the West
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1851
- Builder: George S. Weeks, Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 212 ft (64.62 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 439 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 1.22 m / 4 ft
- Location: Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario
- Original Owners: Captain Harrison and partners, Hamilton, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
Description
The Queen of the West was a wooden sidewheel steamer, notable for its unique paddle wheel design featuring curved buckets set at a 15-degree angle, aimed at improving propulsion efficiency.
History
The Queen of the West served as a passenger and freight steamer on Lake Ontario, connecting Canadian and U.S. ports. It was built in 1851 and completed in 1852, primarily for Canadian buyers.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- The Queen of the West caught fire while docked at McPherson & Crane’s Wharf in Hamilton on July 11, 1853.
- The flames caused the vessel to drift towards M.W. Browne’s Wharf, threatening the waterfront.
- Efforts by the steamer Rochester and May Flower to tow the burning vessel were unsuccessful, and it burned to the waterline.
Final Disposition
The Queen of the West was lost due to a fire on July 11, 1853, in Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario. The wreck remains in shallow water, approximately 4 feet deep.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Queen of the West has not been documented as a preserved site. Due to the fire and shallow location, significant portions of the vessel are unlikely to remain intact, though small artifacts may still be present.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”queen-of-the-west-1851″ title=”References & Links”]
The Queen of the West represents the transitional era of sidewheel steamers on the Great Lakes, contributing to mid-19th-century commerce. Her loss highlights the dangers faced by wooden steamers, while her innovative design reflects the era’s challenges.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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