Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: S.S. Northumberland
- Type: Wooden passenger steamer (later excursion ferry)
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: Neptune Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Port Dalhousie, Ontario
- Official Number: 96937
- Original Owners: Charlottetown Steam Navigation Co., Government of Canada, Canadian National Railways
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The S.S. Northumberland was a wooden passenger steamer, later serving as an excursion ferry. It was designed for passenger comfort and featured elegant accommodations.
Description
Constructed in 1891, the S.S. Northumberland was known for its size and elegance, providing service on various routes including the Gulf of St. Lawrence and later on Lake Ontario. It was powered by twin triple-expansion steam engines, achieving speeds of approximately 15.5 knots.
History
The vessel operated under the Charlottetown Steam Navigation Company from 1891 to 1906, and after a change in ownership, continued under the same company until 1916. It was purchased by the Government of Canada in 1916 and integrated into the Canadian National Railways network in 1920. After being refitted as an excursion steamer, it notably served the Toronto-Port Dalhousie route.
Significant Incidents
- June 2, 1949: A sudden onboard fire occurred while docked at Port Dalhousie, resulting in an intense blaze that gutted the vessel to the waterline.
Final Disposition
The S.S. Northumberland was deemed a constructive total loss due to the fire. It was sold as scrap by September 1949 and broken up, with no physical wreckage remaining in the water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As there is no remaining wreckage, the site of the S.S. Northumberland does not exist for diving or exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”s-s-northumberland-c-96937″ title=”References & Links”]
The Northumberland was a significant vessel in Canadian maritime history, serving nearly 58 years before its abrupt end. Its legacy continues to provide insight into the evolution of regional marine travel in Canada.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: S.S. Northumberland
- Official Number: 96937 (Canadian) (OCLC)
- Year Built: 1891, Neptune Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England (Sailstrait)
- Type: Wooden passenger steamer (later excursion ferry)
- Hull: Wood, with elegant passenger accommodation (Sailstrait, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Propulsion: Steam-driven, twin triple-expansion engines (~2,500 hp) (Sailstrait)
Construction & Ownership
- 1891–1906: Operated by Charlottetown Steam Navigation Co., servicing Gulf of St. Lawrence routes — Charlottetown–Pictou/Summerside (Sailstrait)
- 1906–1916: Same company after change in ownership (Sailstrait)
- 1916–1920: Purchased by Government of Canada; 1920 integrated into Canadian National Railways (CNR) network (tynebuiltships.co.uk)
- Post‑1920s: Refitted as excursion steamer on Lake Ontario, notably Toronto–Port Dalhousie service (Sailstrait)
Dimensions & Features
- Powered by twin triple-expansion steam engines, achieving ~15½ knots (Sailstrait)
- Designed for passenger comfort: main deck salon (~120 ft), ladies’ lounge, staterooms, smoking rooms (Sailstrait)
- Noted for size and elegance on provincial routes
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: June 2, 1949
- Location: Docked at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Lake Ontario (OCLC)
- Cause: Sudden onboard fire early morning; intense blaze gutted vessel to waterline (Wikipedia)
- Outcome:
- No crew or passenger casualties reported (Brock University Library)
- Hull deemed beyond repair; sold as scrap by September 1949 and broken up (tynebuiltships.co.uk)
- Fire led CNR to discontinue steamship service on route (Brock University Library)
Career Highlights
- Renowned ferry on PEI–Nova Scotia route pre-1916; post-relocation served Toronto commuters and tourists (Sailstrait, Brock University Library)
- Noteworthy service life: nearly 58 years in Canadian waters before demise (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- Burned at dock (constructive total loss) on June 2, 1949
- Scrapped at Port Weller Dry Docks by September 1949 (tynebuiltships.co.uk)
- No physical wreckage remains in the water — transitional marine casualty
Resources & References
- ArchiveGrid entry confirming fire, ownership, and technical details (OCLC)
- Tyne-built ships register detailing construction and scrap disposition (tynebuiltships.co.uk)
- Brock University’s “Reconstructing Port Dalhousie” recounting fire event and aftermath (Brock University Library)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files summary of service record and final loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
The Northumberland stood out as a versatile passenger steamship with trans-provincial reach—from PEI routes to Lake Ontario excursions—before her final days ended abruptly by fire in 1949. While no underwater site exists today, her historical importance is well-documented, and she provides insight into the evolution of regional marine travel in Canada.
s-s-northumberland-c-96937 1949-06-02 02:39:00