Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Queen Victoria
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Likely near a loading dock on Lake Huron
- Original Owners: Not conclusively recorded
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Queen Victoria was a typical two-masted wooden schooner of the mid-19th century, built for Great Lakes lumber and general bulk cargo trade.
Description
Constructed with oak framing and pine planking, Queen Victoria was designed for maximum cargo capacity, with a single deck and large open hold. The schooner rig (fore-and-aft sails on two masts) was well suited to the lumber routes of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
History
Launched in 1861, Queen Victoria served the busy lumber transport trade on the Great Lakes for more than two decades. On 13 September 1883, she was loading lumber for transport when she caught fire during the night. Period sources suggest the fire may have been started by a spark from a passing barge, which was a common hazard in crowded harbours with open flames from steam tugs or other vessels.
The flames spread quickly through the lumber cargo and the ship’s wooden structure, leaving no chance to save the vessel. The schooner was totally consumed and declared a constructive total loss. No loss of life was reported.
Significant Incidents
- Fire broke out while loading lumber on 13 September 1883.
- Fire may have been caused by a spark from a passing barge.
- No fatalities reported.
Final Disposition
Burned to a total loss at dockside or anchorage. No salvage efforts were noted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No conclusive records of a modern archaeological site exist, and no dive site has been documented for Queen Victoria.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”queen-victoria-1861″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Queen Victoria highlights the serious fire risks faced by wooden schooners operating around flammable cargoes like lumber, especially in crowded harbours where sparks from passing steamers were common. While no lives were lost, the total loss of both ship and cargo was a significant economic blow to her owners.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
QUEEN VICTORIA (Launched 1861)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: Queen Victoria
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year built and launched: 1861
- Owner: Not conclusively recorded
- Cargo: Had been loading lumber at the time of loss
- Date lost: 13 September 1883
- Location: Likely near a loading dock on Lake Huron (specific location not precisely documented)
- Crew: No fatalities reported
Vessel Type
The Queen Victoria was a typical two-masted wooden schooner of the mid-19th century, built for Great Lakes lumber and general bulk cargo trade.
Description
Constructed with oak framing and pine planking, Queen Victoria was designed for maximum cargo capacity, with a single deck and large open hold. The schooner rig (fore-and-aft sails on two masts) was well suited to the lumber routes of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
History
Launched in 1861, Queen Victoria served the busy lumber transport trade on the Great Lakes for more than two decades. On 13 September 1883, she was loading lumber for transport when she caught fire during the night. Period sources suggest the fire may have been started by a spark from a passing barge, which was a common hazard in crowded harbours with open flames from steam tugs or other vessels.
The flames spread quickly through the lumber cargo and the ship’s wooden structure, leaving no chance to save the vessel. The schooner was totally consumed and declared a constructive total loss. No loss of life was reported.
Final Dispositions
Burned to a total loss at dockside or anchorage. No salvage efforts were noted.
Located By & Date Found
No conclusive records of a modern archaeological site exist, and no dive site has been documented for Queen Victoria.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Index (BGSU)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
Conclusion
The loss of the Queen Victoria highlights the serious fire risks faced by wooden schooners operating around flammable cargoes like lumber, especially in crowded harbours where sparks from passing steamers were common. While no lives were lost, the total loss of both ship and cargo was a significant economic blow to her owners.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Wooden schooner
- Lumber trade
- Fire
- Lake Huron
- 19th-century shipwreck
- Maritime hazards
- Queen Victoria
- Great Lakes shipping