Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Waterloo
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer, Wooden Ferry
- Year Built: 1840
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Length 126 ft (38.4 m); Beam: 18 ft (5.5 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 141 tons
- Location: Black Creek, Niagara River, near Black Rock, NY
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: Sylvanus Staring of Buffalo, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Waterloo was a sidewheel steamer constructed primarily for ferry service on Lake Erie and the Niagara River.
Description
The Waterloo was built in 1840 in Black Rock, New York. Originally measuring 90 feet in length, it was later enlarged to 126 feet in 1844. The vessel was designed as a wooden ferry, serving the growing transportation needs of the region.
History
Construction and Early Service (1840-1844)
The Waterloo was built in 1840 in Black Rock, New York, a significant shipbuilding hub near Buffalo. It was constructed as a sidewheel steamer and primarily served as a ferry on Lake Erie and the Niagara River.
Rebuild and Enlargement (1844)
In 1844, the vessel was rebuilt and lengthened from 90 feet to 126 feet, increasing its capacity. This suggests that the Waterloo was either carrying increasing passenger loads or that it had expanded into a more extensive ferry or cargo transport operation.
Georgian Bay Wreck Incident (1846)
In 1846, the Waterloo stranded and wrecked on Georgian Bay, an area known for its treacherous navigation hazards. It was recovered and returned to service, indicating that the damage was not severe enough to permanently disable the vessel.
Final Ownership and Captain
By 1849, the vessel was owned and captained by Sylvanus Staring of Buffalo, New York. He was also likely involved in the regional shipping or ferry business.
Significant Incidents
- 1846: The Waterloo stranded and wrecked on Georgian Bay but was recovered.
- October 17, 1849: The vessel caught fire while moored at Black Creek, resulting in a total loss.
Final Disposition
The Waterloo was moored at the dock at Black Creek when it caught fire and burned to a total loss on October 17, 1849. No lives were lost, suggesting that the vessel was either unoccupied or that the fire was detected in time for evacuation. The loss was complete, meaning that it was not salvaged for further use.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Waterloo is not salvageable, as it was completely lost to fire. Its historical significance remains as part of the early steamboat and ferry development on the Great Lakes.
Resources & Links
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
The Waterloo (1840) was an early sidewheel steamer that played a role in the Great Lakes ferry system before meeting its destruction by fire in 1849. With connections to legendary vessels like the Walk-in-the-Water, its story is an important part of the evolution of steam navigation on Lake Erie and the Niagara River. Though lost, its role in early maritime transport and its reuse of historic steam technology remain valuable insights into 19th-century Great Lakes shipping.