IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Comet (often referred to as the Mayflower in historical accounts)
• Vessel Type: Steamship (Sidewheeler)
• Official Number: Not specified
• Year Built: 1848
• Builder: G. N. Ault, Fisher’s Yard, Portsmouth, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length: 174 feet (60 meters) Beam: 26 feet (44 feet over paddle boxes, 8 meters) Depth: 10 feet (3 meters)
• Location: Near Nine Mile Point, Simcoe Island, Lake Ontario
• GPS Coordinates: N 44°08.319’ W 76°35.077’
• Depth: 70 feet (20 meters)
• Moored: Yes

Vessel Overview

The Comet was a wooden sidewheel Steamship launched in 1848 at Portsmouth, Ontario (near Kingston). She was built by master shipbuilder George N. Ault at Fisher’s Shipyard (FAB Experiences – ArcGIS StoryMaps. The vessel measured approximately 174–175 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth. Her Gross Tonnage was about 337 tons. Uniquely, Comet was powered by two large “walking beam” steam engines using 51-inch diameter pistons (Scuba Diving The Comet In Kingston – The Scuba News). These twin walking-beam engines (one driving each paddle wheel) were reportedly constructed with salvaged piston components, an economical practice at the time. The Comet’s propulsion system featured the characteristic tall oscillating beam atop the engine – a common sight on mid-19th-century steamers. Her twin side paddle wheels (each about 32–40 feet in diameter) flanked the Hull and could even be operated independently for better maneuvering (Comet).

Originally built for Kingston-area shipping entrepreneurs (the Platt brothers of Kingston are noted as initial owners) (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships), the Comet was intended as a passenger and package-freight Steamer serving ports around Lake Ontario. In her early service, she ferried travelers and goods between cities such as Toronto, Kingston, and destinations along the lake’s shores. The ship gained attention for her modern design and power, but would soon earn an unfortunate reputation due to a series of accidents. Indeed, the Comet later became known as a “hard-luck ship” (Kingston, Ontario | Scuba Diving) because of the many mishaps that befell her over a 13-year career. Despite this turbulent history, the vessel’s construction – a robust oak Hull, side paddle propulsion, and innovative engine setup – represents a notable example of mid-19th century Great Lakes Steamboat engineering and design.

Operational History

The Comet’s service life was eventful and checkered with incidents from the very start. In her first year or so of operation, the Steamer reportedly struck a shoal in the St. Lawrence River and sank; however, the wreck was refloated and repaired, allowing Comet to return to service (Scuba Diving The Comet In Kingston – The Scuba News). The next known mishap occurred in November 1849. While near Toronto, a steam pipe ruptured onboard. This explosion of a steam line killed two crew members (and severely injured a third) (Scuba Diving The Comet In Kingston – The Scuba News). The accident briefly disabled the vessel, but once again she was repaired and continued operations. Such early incidents did not immediately tarnish Comet’s reputation, as Steamship travel in that era was still new and often risky; however, worse was yet to come.

In April 1851, the Comet suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion. On April 3, 1851, while docked at Oswego, New York, her boiler burst with devastating effect. The blast destroyed much of the upper decks and caused the ship to catch fire and sink. Tragically, eight crew members lost their lives in this explosion (Scuba Diving The Comet In Kingston – The Scuba News). The Comet was nearly destroyed; contemporary reports described her upper works as “nearly destroyed by explosion and fire”. Following this disaster, the Hull was raised from Oswego Harbor and purchased at auction by Montreal interests (led by a Captain A. Miller of Montreal). The vessel was Rebuilt at Montreal and, after extensive repairs, was renamed Mayflower in late 1851 (Scuba Diving The Comet In Kingston – The Scuba News). By the end of that year or early 1852, the Mayflower returned to service on Lake Ontario. Notably, Mansfield’s History of the Great Lakes records that the Mayflower (ex-Comet), together with the steamers Champion and Highlander, formed a new through line in 1851 connecting Niagara and Montreal with stops at intermediate ports. This indicates that after rebuilding, Mayflower was employed on an ambitious route spanning Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence, showcasing her importance in regional transport despite her recent trauma.

The Mayflower’s streak of bad luck, however, did not end. On August 10, 1853, she ran aground in a fog or storm at Scarborough Bluffs near Toronto (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). The vessel went ashore on the sand or clay bluff coast. Fortunately, this incident was not deadly, and the Steamer was pulled off the beach and repaired. Shortly thereafter in 1853, ownership changed hands – Mayflower was acquired by Alexander Campbell of Kingston, Ontario (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). Around this time (1853), it appears her name was changed back to Comet (perhaps to shed the ill fortune associated with the name Mayflower, or simply to restore the well-known original name) (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships).

By March 1854, the sidewheeler had been sold again – this time to American interests tied to the Rome & Watertown Railroad (later the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg Railroad) (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). On March 7, 1854 the Comet officially came under the ownership of the Rome & Watertown Railway, which was developing transportation links across Lake Ontario (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). Under railway ownership, Comet served in a cross-lake route connecting Canadian ports to the railroad’s terminus. For example, records indicate she ran a route between Hamilton, Ontario and Cape Vincent, New York (at the east end of Lake Ontario) (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). In this role the Comet likely carried railway passengers and freight, forming a vital link between rail lines in New York and Steamship routes in Canada. The mid-1850s were perhaps the Steamer’s most prosperous period, as she was an important part of this international transportation network. Accounts from the time suggest that Comet was a well-appointed Steamer – essentially “a veritable floating hotel with every convenience for comfort and enjoyment” – reflecting the era’s trend of outfitting passenger steamers with luxurious amenities for travelers.

Despite a few years of relative quiet, the Comet continued to experience maritime misfortunes. In the late 1850s, a severe storm struck Kingston’s harbor while Comet lay moored. On May 7, 1861, a violent gale tore Comet from her moorings and smashed her against the Cataraqui Bridge (the toll bridge spanning the Cataraqui River at Kingston) (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). This collision caused significant topside damage. Contemporary reports indicate the vessel was “slammed into [the] Cataraqui Bridge” by the storm (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). She was thereafter brought back to dock for repairs. By this time the Steamer was somewhat aged and may have been used sporadically; indeed, in 1860–61 she had just been refitted for a new season and her name formally reverted to Comet (after having been occasionally advertised as Mayflower during the railroad years). The May 1861 gale damage proved to be a precursor to her final, fateful voyage only a week later.

Throughout her operational history, the Comet was plagued by accidents and earned a reputation as a “hard-luck” ship (Kingston, Ontario | Scuba Diving). However, she also played a notable part in Great Lakes navigation history: she connected cities and even countries, served both private and railroad owners, and tested the resilience of early steam technology. After each setback – groundings, explosions, storms – the Comet was repaired or Rebuilt, illustrating the value placed on her as an asset. By 1861, she was one of the older steamers on Lake Ontario, and her walking-beam engines and sidewheel design were soon to be surpassed by newer propulsion technologies. Even so, the Comet’s dramatic career was about to come to an equally dramatic end.

Final Voyage and Sinking (May 14, 1861)

The Comet’s final voyage began on May 14, 1861. Freshly repaired from the storm incident, the sidewheeler departed Kingston, Ontario bound for Toronto and Hamilton on what was to be the first trip of the 1861 navigation season. Captain Frederick Patterson was in command. Despite clearing weather in Kingston, strong southwesterly winds were blowing as the Comet headed out of Kingston Harbour and rounded Nine Mile Point at the west end of Simcoe Island. Concerned about the rough conditions and wanting to avoid the busiest part of the shipping lane, Patterson kept Comet closer to the north (Canadian) shore of Lake Ontario. Meanwhile, several sailing vessels were struggling in the same sudden gale. Among them was the American Schooner Exchange (out of Cleveland). The Exchange, also caught by the worsening weather, changed course to run for shelter – unfortunately, this brought her into the path of the Comet.

At approximately 11:00 PM on May 14, 1861, the Comet and the Exchange collided about 8–10 miles off Nine Mile Point, Simcoe Island. The Schooner struck Comet on the bow. The impact was devastating: witnesses later recounted that Comet’s bow was stove in and the Steamer’s forward section crushed. The collision may have also ruptured Comet’s steam lines or boilers, as some reports describe an explosion and fire aboard the Steamer immediately after the impact. Panic ensued on the Comet as the ship rapidly began to flood and burn.

For a short time, both vessels stayed locked together and the crews assisted one another. The Exchange’s captain attempted to keep his Schooner alongside the stricken Steamer to render aid. However, the high winds and rough seas soon separated the two. The Exchange, under sail and without power, drifted downwind and lost contact, eventually unable to assist further. Aboard Comet, Captain Patterson ordered the engines kept running in a desperate effort to beach the ship on nearby Simcoe Island. Despite heavy damage, Comet still had steam pressure and managed to limp under her own power for nearly an hour after the collision. She headed back eastward, roughly in the direction of Kingston, while gradually settling lower in the water.

Realizing the Comet might not reach land in time, Patterson prepared to abandon ship. The Steamer had a large Yawl (lifeboat) towed astern and at least one smaller lifeboat. About 2 miles off Simcoe Island, with the vessel foundering, the crew and remaining passengers were ordered into the boats. All passengers made it safely into the primary lifeboat. A number of the crew, however, had trouble launching the big Yawl – it was still in tow. Two crewmen heroically tried to cut it loose and bail it out amid the waves, but were swept away or drowned in the attempt. These two men were the only fatalities of the sinking; all others on board Comet survived. Once the overloaded lifeboat and Yawl (with those crew who managed to embark) were clear, Captain Patterson and the remaining crew Abandoned the Comet and joined the survivors. In total, two crewmen were lost and roughly 80 people survived (passenger counts were low that night, which proved fortunate). The survivors rowed toward the lights of Simcoe Island in the darkness. They eventually reached shore in the early hours of May 15, 1861, cold and shaken but alive.

Meanwhile, the Comet finally succumbed. The mortally damaged Steamer drifted briefly on its own and then sank bow-first into the depths of Lake Ontario. She went down roughly 1.5 to 2 miles off Nine Mile Point, just northwest of Simcoe Island. The wreck settled in approximately 90 feet of water, coming to rest upright on the lakebed. The date of the loss is often given as May 14 or 15, 1861 (the collision happened late on the 14th, and the Comet sank after midnight into the 15th). Newspapers of the time recounted the collision and praised the courage of the crew in the evacuation. The Schooner Exchange survived the incident, badly damaged, and managed to reach port. The Comet, however, was a Total Loss – ending her tumultuous career in a final tragedy. The location of her sinking was noted generally by those on shore (Simcoe Island residents heard a boom and saw a glow on the horizon that night), but the exact resting place of the Comet would be forgotten for over a century.

(Wreck Location: The Comet lies in Lake Ontario near coordinates ~44°08’N, 76°35’W, about 2 miles offshore of Simcoe Island’s Nine Mile Point.)*

Wreck Location – Sidewheel Steamer Comet (1848)

The Comet lies approximately 1.5 miles off Nine Mile Point, Simcoe Island, Ontario. Use the interactive map below to explore the area around the wreck site:

Rediscovery and Diving Site

After the Comet went down in 1861, her wreck remained undisturbed on the lake bottom for 106 years. In 1967, the wreck of the Comet was finally rediscovered by a team of local sport divers. (Kingston divers Jim McCready and Dr. Robert McCaldon are often credited with finding the site in 1967, using early sonar and dive searches.) The discovery confirmed the Comet’s fate – the “hard-luck” Steamer was found sitting upright in deep water, her remains astonishingly well-preserved. The wreck lies at about 80–90 feet (24–28 m) of depth. Oriented roughly north-south, the Comet is upright on a flat clay lakebed. Over the years, cold fresh water and low oxygen slowed decay, leaving many of the ship’s structural elements intact. Divers were amazed to find both of the side paddle wheels still standing upright on either side of the wreck, rising about 40 feet off the bottom (Comet). The twin walking-beam engines and two boiler cylinders are also still in place at midships, making Comet one of the best-preserved examples of a 19th-century walking-beam engine Steamboat on the Great Lakes (Comet). The lower Hull, including the Keel and sidewalls, is largely intact from bow to Stern. By contrast, most of the upper Deck and cabins have collapsed or disintegrated over time (Comet). The decking has pancaked down into the Hull, and debris from the cabins (such as the stove, Windlass, and other fittings) lies scattered on or around the wreck . Notably, the ship’s rudder and tiller mechanism remain at the Stern, and the massive iron anchor and Windlass assembly are present on the bow section. Artifacts such as dishes, tools, and the ship’s bell were discovered on early dives, many of which have since been retrieved for preservation.

In the late 1960s and 1970s, several artifacts were recovered from the Comet wreck. These include the ship’s wheel and bell, engine parts, and personal items of crew and passengers. To protect the site, Ontario authorities and local dive groups worked to prevent looting. Many of the Comet’s artifacts – for example, the wheel – are now on display at the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston (Kingston, Ontario | Scuba Diving). (The Marine Museum holds an extensive collection related to Great Lakes shipping, and Comet’s artifacts form an important exhibit illustrating early steam navigation.) The wreck itself is protected by provincial law and is maintained as an underwater museum of sorts.

Today, the Comet is a popular dive site for experienced cold-water divers. The location is within a few miles of Kingston, and local dive charters regularly visit the wreck. A permanent mooring buoy (maintained by Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston (P.O.W.) and Save Ontario Shipwrecks) is usually attached to the wreck (A), allowing divers to descend directly to the site without disturbing the structure with an anchor. Diving conditions on the Comet are typical for the Great Lakes: water temperatures range from ~4°C (40°F) at depth in early season to ~15°C (60°F) in late summer, and Visibility is often around 30–50 feet (improved in recent decades by zebra/Quagga Mussels filtering the water) (Kingston, Ontario | Scuba Diving). The depth to the Deck is about 85–90 ft, meaning this is considered an advanced dive (recreational divers usually treat it as a deep dive, and bottom times must be planned carefully). The intact paddle wheels are a highlight – on clear days, the eerie sight of the twin Paddlewheel frames looming out of the darkness has been described as “other-worldly”

Divers can swim around the paddle wheels and observe the wrought-iron wheel spokes and wooden bucket planks, now encrusted with mussels. The huge walking beam engines are also a central attraction; they rise several meters above the wreck and their cranks and connecting rods can be seen in place​. Penetration inside the Hull is generally not advised – much of the interior is filled with silt and collapsed timbers, and Visibility can be instantly lost if silt is stirred​. There are also structural hazards: the remaining Deck sections and bulkheads are unstable, and the large Paddlewheel housings create an overhead environment on either side. Additionally, the top of the paddle wheels is at roughly 40–50 ft depth while the Hull is at 90 ft, so divers must be cautious of depth changes when exploring the upper parts of the wreck​Nonetheless, for trained divers, the Comet offers a fascinating step back in time. The site is often cited as one of the best-preserved Sidewheel Steamer wrecks in the Great Lakes, providing a tangible link to the 1800s. Underwater archaeologists and historians have studied the wreck to better understand early Steamship construction. The discovery and documentation of Comet in 1967 also helped kick-start local efforts to preserve Ontario’s shipwrecks, leading to the creation of organizations like Preserve Our Wrecks

Visitors to Kingston can learn about the Comet even without diving – aside from museum exhibits, there are dive shop posters and local history tours that recount her story. The wreck coordinates are published for divers, but removal of artifacts is illegal, ensuring that what remains of Comet underwater will be preserved for future generations of divers and researchers. In summary, the rediscovery of Comet has transformed a once-lost tragedy into a well-interpreted historical site. The wreck serves as both an underwater classroom for studying 19th-century maritime technology and a memorial to those who lost their lives in the ship’s accidents.

Historical Significance

The Sidewheel Steamer Comet holds a significant place in Great Lakes maritime history, both as a representative of early steam navigation and as a vessel with an extraordinarily turbulent career. Launched in the late 1840s, Comet was part of the first generation of large passenger steamers that helped transform transportation on the Great Lakes. Her construction at Kingston’s Portsmouth shipyard in 1848 coincided with a period of rapid growth in steam navigation. At that time, sail was still common, but steamers were beginning to dominate the passenger and Packet freight trade. Comet’s walking-beam engines are an important technological example – the walking-beam design (a large pivoting beam transmitting the piston motion to the paddle shaft) was a hallmark of 19th-century steam engineering. The Comet’s use of twin independent engines was unusual and may have been an experiment in improving maneuverability and reliability for sidewheelers (Comet). This feature predated the widespread use of twin propellers on ships and demonstrates the inventive engineering solutions of the era. Studying Comet’s machinery (both in archival drawings and on the wreck itself) has provided insights into mid-century marine steam engines and their operation.

Beyond her technical aspects, Comet’s operational history reflects the challenges of early steam travel. She experienced multiple boiler and steam-related explosions (1849 and 1851) at a time when boiler safety regulations were minimal. These incidents underscore how dangerous steam travel could be, and they likely contributed to subsequent improvements in marine safety standards (such as better boiler pressure controls and crew training). The fact that Comet was Rebuilt and returned to service after a major explosion in 1851 illustrates the economic drive to maintain steamers in operation despite the risks – demand for steam transport was that strong. Her incorporation into the Niagara-Montreal line in 1851 highlights the strategic importance of steamers in connecting railroads and cities before the Grand Trunk Railway was completed (the Grand Trunk, finished later in the 1850s, would provide an all-rail route between those points, but in 1851 steamers like Comet/Mayflower filled that gap). Later, Comet’s ownership by the Watertown & Rome Railroad (RW&O) demonstrates the synergy between steamships and railroads in mid-century North America. Railroad companies often bought steamers to Ferry passengers across water segments, and Comet was a prime example – running from Hamilton to Cape Vincent to link Canadian rail lines with American ones (COMET (1848, Steamer) – Great Lakes Ships). In this way, she was part of the broader story of integrated transportation in the 19th century, where travel might involve a train, a Steamboat, then another train.

The Comet’s moniker as a “hard-luck ship” (Kingston, Ontario | Scuba Diving) and her series of accidents have made her something of a legend in Great Lakes lore. Many early steamers had short lives due to disaster, but Comet stands out for having survived multiple serious accidents before finally sinking. This speaks to the ship’s sturdy construction (she was robust enough to be Rebuilt and keep sailing) and to a bit of uncanny bad fortune. Maritimers of the day might have considered her jinxed; newspapers followed her incidents with morbid fascination. The Scarborough Bluffs stranding in 1853, for instance, was reported but ultimately just another chapter in her saga of mishaps. The final collision in 1861, coming as it did after the ship had just been repaired from storm damage, sealed Comet’s reputation in hindsight as a doomed vessel.

From a historical perspective, the Comet also serves as an example of 19th-century shipbuilding and the transition era on the Great Lakes. Built just before iron-hulled propeller-driven ships became common, she represents the peak of wooden-hulled, paddle-driven Steamboat design. Within a decade or two of her loss, most new Great Lakes steamers were propeller-driven and many were metal-hulled, making sidewheelers like Comet increasingly obsolete. Thus, Comet’s remains provide a snapshot of a bygone technology and mode of transport. Her legacy is preserved not only in archives and history books, but physically in her wreck. The discovery of the wreck in 1967 and subsequent archaeological documentation have enriched our understanding of ship construction techniques (for example, the framing of her Hull and the design of her Paddlewheel assembly). Maritime historians often cite Comet when discussing early Canadian steamers, and she is featured in compilations of Great Lakes shipwrecks as a noteworthy case (e.g., she is listed in “The Great Lakes Shipwreck File” and was included in Cris Kohl’s 100 Best Great Lakes Shipwrecks).

In summary, the Comet’s significance lies in:

• Her turbulent career, which encapsulates the perils and progress of early steam navigation (from technological triumphs to tragic failures).
• Her technological features, especially the walking beam engines and sidewheel propulsion, exemplifying the engineering of her era.
• Her role in commerce, aiding the development of travel and trade routes across Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence.
• Her cultural memory, as the “hard-luck Steamer” whose story has been passed down through generations of lake mariners.
• Her archaeological value, as one of the best-preserved shipwrecks of her kind, allowing ongoing study and education.

The Comet is remembered today as more than just a shipwreck; she is a tangible link to the dawn of steam on the Great Lakes and a reminder of how far maritime safety and technology have come. Museums, dive sites, and historical literature keep the memory of Comet alive. Researchers and enthusiasts can consult a variety of sources to learn more about her – from 19th-century newspaper accounts of her accidents to dive survey reports of her wreck. The story of Comet continues to be of interest to historians, maritime museum curators, and diving researchers as a classic case study of a 19th-century Great Lakes Steamboat that lived fast and died young.

References & Further Reading:

• Mansfield, J.B. (1899). History of the Great Lakes, Vol. 1 – contains contemporary accounts of the Comet’s 1851 explosion and role as Mayflower in a Niagara-Montreal line.
• Swayze, Dave (1999). Great Lakes Shipwreck File – entry for Comet summarizes build info and loss details.
• Naval Marine Archive, Picton ON – Shipwreck database (entry “Comet (1848)”) with notes on incidents and final wreck location.
• Kingston Marine Museum Archives – holds artifacts and archival records related to Comet (logbooks, company records from Miller and RW&O Railway, etc.) as well as recovered items on exhibit (Kingston, Ontario | Scuba Diving).
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes website – searchable archive of 19th-century Great Lakes newspapers; contemporary news articles on the Comet’s 1849 Toronto accident and 1861 sinking can be found here.
• Dive literature: Preserve Our Wrecks and SOS Ontario publications provide site reports on the Comet wreck (including maps and photographs for divers). The Canadian Geographic article “Diving Kingston’s shipwrecks: The hidden histories of Lake Ontario” (2017) features Comet ([[ talk to the void ]
  | Wreck of the Comet, Kingston, Lake Ontario
• Kohl, Cris (1998). The 100 Best Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Vol. I – includes a chapter on the Comet with historical narrative and dive details.

3D Model – Comet

Comet- Sidewheeler by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

CONCLUSION

The Comet (aka Mayflower) is a notable chapter in Lake Ontario’s maritime history. From its construction in 1848 to its tragic sinking in 1861, the vessel reflects the evolution and challenges of early steam navigation. The Comet’s repeated misfortunes, including two deadly boiler explosions and its eventual collision, underscore the perils faced by early steam-powered vessels. Today, its well-preserved wreck offers divers a tangible connection to this fascinating era of maritime history.

KEYWORDS

#Comet #Mayflower #LakeOntario #Sidewheeler #NineMilePoint #SimcoeIsland #MaritimeHistory #BoilerExplosion #GreatLakesShipwrecks #UnderwaterExploration