Identification & Site

  • Built: 1870, St. Catharines, Ontario (wooden, 1‑Deck, sidewheel Steamer)
  • Official number: Unknown
  • Final disposition: Burned April 19, 1884, in St. Catharines; Hull later converted into the Steamer Erie

Vessel Type & Description

  • Type: Wooden sidewheel Steamer for passenger and freight operations
  • Construction: Single-Deck wooden Hull powered by sidewheels—typical of Great Lakes river and canal service

Construction & Operations (1870–1884)

  • Built in 1870 at St. Catharines Shipyards (likely Simpson or similar local builder)
  • Operated locally—details of ownership, routes, and capacity remain unverified and require further archival review

Fire & Final Disposition

Gaps in Record & Research Recommendations

  1. Builder & registry: Examine St. Catharines Daily Standard and marine registration logs (circa 1870–1884) for ownership, tonnage, and design specifications
  2. Insurance and salvage records: Investigate 1884 fire claims and shipyard paperwork for details on Hull salvage and legal proceedings
  3. Conversion documentation: Locate Conversion records or enrollment entries relating to the emergence of the vessel Erie from the Hull remains
  4. Physical remains: Explore possibility of preserved sections of the Hull incorporated into Erie—potentially visible through Hull surveys or shipyard plans

Conclusion

The Europe represents a classic example of a mid-19th century sidewheel Steamer that, despite its initial promise, succumbed to fire—a frequent hazard of wooden steamers. While its Hull didn’t simply vanish, its Conversion into Erie offers a fascinating link in vessel reuse and lifecycle in early Canadian maritime practice. Filling out historic and technical details—ownership, construction plans, engine specs—will not only clarify Europe’s history but also chart the lineage of Erie.