Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Queen Victoria – (1838)

Explore the history of the Queen Victoria, a significant two-masted wooden schooner in the Great Lakes lumber trade, launched in 1839.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Queen Victoria
  • Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1839
  • Builder: Calvin & Cook (with Counter noted as a possible additional partner)
  • Dimensions: Length: 95 ft (28.9 m); Beam: 17.7 ft (5.4 m); Depth of hold: 8.8 ft (2.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 134 tons (old system), approximately 200 tons carrying capacity
  • Location: Garden Island, Ontario
  • Original Owners: J. Flood, Hamilton, Ontario (later possibly J. Hood)
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner

Description

The Queen Victoria was built to meet the growing demand for vessels in the Great Lakes lumber trade, particularly for the Kingston Stave Forwarding Company. At the time of her construction, she was celebrated as the largest and strongest schooner on the Great Lakes, capable of carrying 200 tons of cargo.

The vessel primarily operated in the lumber trade, transporting staves, lumber, and other materials from ports on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario to destinations including Quebec. The Kingston Stave Forwarding Company was deeply involved in timber rafting, and vessels like the Queen Victoria were crucial to their operations. These operations also highlighted the regional economic shift toward Kingston, Ontario, as a lumber processing and shipping hub.

History

Launch Date: July 1839

Rebuilt: 1849 (details of changes unknown)

Ownership Change: By 1854, owned by Hood in Hamilton, Ontario

Surveyor and Certificate Date: William Pring, January 15, 1853

Significant Incidents

  • Launch (July 1839): The Queen Victoria’s launch from Garden Island was a grand event. The Steamer Kingston ferried spectators from Kingston and French Creek to witness the ceremony. After an initial hesitation to glide into the water, the ship entered Lake Ontario “in admirable style,” accompanied by cheers from onlookers.
  • Economic Impact: The schooner’s service contributed to the regional economy by enabling the export of staves and timber. The Kingston Stave Forwarding Company’s success illustrated the burgeoning trade routes of the era, though they were hampered by restrictions on American vessels participating in cross-border trade.
  • Trade Between Ports: The schooner was instrumental in transferring freight between Kingston, Millan’s Bay, NY, and other ports, particularly given the limited availability of British vessels at the time.

Final Disposition

The Queen Victoria’s fate remains unclear, with the Hamilton Shipping Register noting it as “Gone” by the time of the registry update in 1853. This could indicate decommissioning, a sale to an unknown owner, or loss in service. No recorded shipwreck has been associated with the vessel.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the Queen Victoria is unknown, as no wreck has been definitively identified.

Resources & Links

The Queen Victoria serves as an example of the critical role schooners played in the Great Lakes’ economic development during the 19th century. The vessel highlights the importance of timber trade, the challenges of cross-border commerce, and the rise of Kingston as a shipping hub. Its construction and operations reflect the evolving maritime technology and trade dynamics of the pre-industrial Great Lakes.