Near Bath in Lennox and Addington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The First Steamship on Lake Ontario
Le Premier Vapeur du Lac Ontario
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014
1. The First Steamship on Lake Ontario Marker
In the early 1800's Kingston was a shipbuilding centre of note. The FRONTENAC, the first steamship to navigate Lake Ontario, was built here at Finkle's Point, Ernestown (now Bath), and launched September 7, 1816. Designed to carry freight and passengers, it was a boon to travellers, greatly reducing the difficulties and the cost of travel between Kingston and York (now Toronto). More sophisticated ships soon rendered the FRONTENAC obsolete and it was sold in 1825. Two years later it burned and sank in the Niagara River, but passenger steamships plied the lake for many years until rail and road travel became more effective.
French:
Le FRONTENAC, premier navire à vapeur sur le lac Ontario, fut construit ici, à la pointe Finkle, et fut lancée le 7 septembre 1816. Conçu pour transporter marchandises et passagers, il réduisit grandement les difficultés et les frais de déplacement entre Kingston et York (maintenant Toronto). L'arrivée de navires plus perfectionnes le rendit désuet et il fut vendu en 1825. Deux and plus tard le navire brûla et coula dans la rivière Niagara. Les vapeurs pour passagers naviguèrent sur le lac pendant de nombreuses années encore, pour enfin être remplacés par les réseaux ferroviaires et routiers.
Erected 1924 by Historic Sites and
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 7, 1873.
Location. 44° 10.238′ N, 76° 47.433′ W. Marker is near Bath, Ontario, in Lennox and Addington County. Marker is on Loyalist Parkway (Provincial Highway 33), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 697 Loyalist Parkway, Bath ON K0H 1G0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Early Latter-day Saints in Upper Canada (a few steps from this marker); Escape of the Royal George 1812 (approx. 5.9 kilometers away).
More about this marker. Bath is town located in the township of Loyalist.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 8, 2014
2. The First Steamship on Lake Ontario Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2015, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
