Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Zimmerman
- Type: Steamer
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder: Louis Shickluna
- Dimensions: 200.3 ft (61.0 m); Beam: 28.9 ft; Depth of hold: 9 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 477 tons
- Location: Near Niagara, Ontario
- Original Owners: Oliver T. Macklem, Duncan Milloy
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Zimmerman was a sidewheel steamer, a popular design for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Built in 1854 by renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna at Niagara, Ontario, the steamer was named after Samuel Zimmerman, a prominent financier from Thorold. The Zimmerman operated primarily on the Niagara-to-Toronto route, providing transportation between these important centers on Lake Ontario.
Description
The Zimmerman was constructed with a wooden hull and powered by a vertical beam engine with a single cylinder. It featured sidewheel propulsion, with 28-foot side wheels, and was equipped with an engine measuring 40.5 x 144 inches, built by Macklem. The vessel’s dimensions were 200.3 feet in length, 28.9 feet in beam, and a depth of 9 feet.
History
The Zimmerman had a notable operational history, playing a crucial role in connecting ports on Lake Ontario:
- 1856, April 23: The vessel was hauled out on James A. Baker’s Marine Railway in Oswego, New York, for an overhaul. It was fitted with arches and repainted.
- 1859: Owned by Captain D. Milloy, the Zimmerman continued to operate on Lake Ontario.
- 1861: The steamer was strengthened and repainted, ensuring it remained in good operational condition.
- 1863: At the time of its final voyage, the vessel was owned by Duncan Milloy (or Malloy) of Toronto, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
Final Disposition
On August 21, 1863, the Zimmerman was destroyed by fire near Niagara, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. The fire resulted in the tragic loss of two lives. While the ship itself was lost, the vessel’s engines were salvaged and reused in the City of Toronto (1839), although records suggest that new boilers were installed in the latter vessel at the time.
Final Disposition
There are no known modern records indicating the precise location or recovery of the wreck of the Zimmerman. Given the extent of the fire, it is likely that much of the vessel was destroyed, with only remnants of its structure potentially remaining on the lakebed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no current navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Zimmerman near Niagara, Ontario, and no known warnings for the area.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”zimmerman-1854″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Zimmerman is a classic example of the steamer technology that helped shape maritime transport on the Great Lakes, and its story underscores the challenges faced by steam vessels in the mid-19th century, including the ever-present risk of fire.
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.
Identification & Site Information:
- Vessel Name: ZIMMERMAN
- Year of Build: 1854
- Construction and Ownership Built at: Niagara, Ontario
- Vessel Type: Steamer
- Hull Materials: Wood
- Builder Name: Louis Shickluna
- Original Owner: Oliver T. Macklem, Chippawa
- Ownership Notes: Named after Thorold financier Samuel Zimmerman
- Power and Propulsion Propulsion: Sidewheel
- Engine Type: Vertical Beam (Walking Beam)
- # of Cylinders: 1
- Propulsion Notes: 40.5 x 144″ engine built by Macklem; 28′ side wheels
- Hull Dimensions Length: 200.3 feet Beam: 28.9 feet Depth: 9 feet
- Tonnage (Old Style): 477 tons
Vessel Type
The Zimmerman was a sidewheel steamer, a popular design for passenger and cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Built in 1854 by renowned shipbuilder Louis Shickluna at Niagara, Ontario, the steamer was named after Samuel Zimmerman, a prominent financier from Thorold. The Zimmerman operated primarily on the Niagara-to-Toronto route, providing transportation between these important centers on Lake Ontario.
History
The Zimmerman had a notable operational history, playing a crucial role in connecting ports on Lake Ontario:
- 1856, April 23: The vessel was hauled out on James A. Baker’s Marine Railway in Oswego, New York, for an overhaul. It was fitted with arches and repainted.
- 1859: Owned by Captain D. Milloy, the Zimmerman continued to operate on Lake Ontario.
- 1861: The steamer was strengthened and repainted, ensuring it remained in good operational condition.
- 1863: At the time of its final voyage, the vessel was owned by Duncan Milloy (or Malloy) of Toronto, Ontario.
Final Disposition
On August 21, 1863, the Zimmerman was destroyed by fire near Niagara, Ontario, on Lake Ontario. The fire resulted in the tragic loss of two lives. While the ship itself was lost, the vessel’s engines were salvaged and reused in the City of Toronto (1839), although records suggest that new boilers were installed in the latter vessel at the time.
Located By & Date
There are no known modern records indicating the precise location or recovery of the wreck of the Zimmerman. Given the extent of the fire, it is likely that much of the vessel was destroyed, with only remnants of its structure potentially remaining on the lakebed.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational hazards associated with the wreck of the Zimmerman near Niagara, Ontario, and no known warnings for the area.
Resources & Links
The Zimmerman is a classic example of the steamer technology that helped shape maritime transport on the Great Lakes, and its story underscores the challenges faced by steam vessels in the mid-19th century, including the ever-present risk of fire.
zimmerman-1854 1863-08-21 07:50:00