Canadian Steamer Argyle Disaster
By James Donahue
The loss of the small pleasure steamboat Argyle on May 22, 1878 and the deaths of 18 people were spectacular if the Toronto news clipping had the story even partially right. Something apparently went wrong with the steering and the 14-year-old 94-foot paddle wheeler was driven by the current on the Grand River, at Galt, Ontario, until it capsized over a dam, carrying the crew and passengers to a violent death.
The vessel was named Empress of India in the Toronto story, and that may have been the name of the ship at the time of the disaster. When launched at Hamilton in 1864 and for most of the years it offered pleasure cruises on the Great Lakes and Canadian rivers it was known as the Argyle. It had several different owners during the years it was in service.
One of the owners at the time of the disaster, James Montgomery, was among the passengers on the Argyle the day it plunged over the dam.
The Toronto report was brief, stating that a “diligent search” for bodies was underway both at the dam and on the river below. The story noted that “The excitement through the town is intense” and that “little reliable information can be obtained.”
Even the number of the victims was at question. The story suggested that “about 18 persons” were on board when the disaster occurred.
Any of our Canadian friends with additional information about this wreck may contact us at [email protected].
By James Donahue
The loss of the small pleasure steamboat Argyle on May 22, 1878 and the deaths of 18 people were spectacular if the Toronto news clipping had the story even partially right. Something apparently went wrong with the steering and the 14-year-old 94-foot paddle wheeler was driven by the current on the Grand River, at Galt, Ontario, until it capsized over a dam, carrying the crew and passengers to a violent death.
The vessel was named Empress of India in the Toronto story, and that may have been the name of the ship at the time of the disaster. When launched at Hamilton in 1864 and for most of the years it offered pleasure cruises on the Great Lakes and Canadian rivers it was known as the Argyle. It had several different owners during the years it was in service.
One of the owners at the time of the disaster, James Montgomery, was among the passengers on the Argyle the day it plunged over the dam.
The Toronto report was brief, stating that a “diligent search” for bodies was underway both at the dam and on the river below. The story noted that “The excitement through the town is intense” and that “little reliable information can be obtained.”
Even the number of the victims was at question. The story suggested that “about 18 persons” were on board when the disaster occurred.
Any of our Canadian friends with additional information about this wreck may contact us at [email protected].