QUEEN VICTORIA (Launched 1861)

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Queen Victoria
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year built and launched: 1861
  • Owner: Not conclusively recorded
  • Cargo: Had been loading lumber at the time of loss
  • Date lost: 13 September 1883
  • Location: Likely near a loading dock on Lake Huron (specific location not precisely documented)
  • Crew: No fatalities reported

Vessel Type

The Queen Victoria was a typical two-masted wooden Schooner of the mid-19th century, built for Great Lakes lumber and general bulk cargo trade.

Description

Constructed with oak framing and pine planking, Queen Victoria was designed for maximum cargo capacity, with a single Deck and large open hold. The Schooner rig (Fore-and-Aft Sails on two masts) was well suited to the lumber routes of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

History

Launched in 1861, Queen Victoria served the busy lumber transport trade on the Great Lakes for more than two decades. On 13 September 1883, she was loading lumber for transport when she caught fire during the night. Period sources suggest the fire may have been started by a spark from a passing Barge, which was a common hazard in crowded harbours with open flames from steam tugs or other vessels.

The flames spread quickly through the lumber cargo and the ship’s wooden structure, leaving no chance to save the vessel. The Schooner was totally consumed and declared a constructive Total Loss. No loss of life was reported.

Final Dispositions

Burned to a Total Loss at dockside or anchorage. No salvage efforts were noted.

Located By & Date Found

No conclusive records of a modern archaeological site exist, and no dive site has been documented for Queen Victoria.

NOTMARs & Advisories

None noted.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The loss of the Queen Victoria highlights the serious fire risks faced by wooden schooners operating around flammable cargoes like lumber, especially in crowded harbours where sparks from passing steamers were common. While no lives were lost, the Total Loss of both ship and cargo was a significant economic blow to her owners.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

  • Wooden Schooner
  • Lumber trade
  • Fire
  • Lake Huron
  • 19th-century shipwreck
  • Maritime hazards
  • Queen Victoria
  • Great Lakes shipping