The Victoria Day Disaster
The Steamboat Victoria Disaster
The 1881 Steamboat Victoria disaster in London, Ontario, Canada, remains one of the most tragic maritime accidents in Canadian history. On May 24, 1881, the Victoria, a paddlewheel steamboat, was packed with passengers enjoying a holiday excursion on the Thames River. However, tragedy struck when the boat became unstable, and its boiler came loose from its mountings. The boiler crashed through the support stanchions, causing the upper deck to collapse on those below, and the boat to sink. Over 180 passengers perished.
For images and sources related to this episode, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/?p=1444.
For ad-free listening to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs and many other fantastic history podcasts, subscribe to Into History, at IntoHistory.com/shipwreckspod.
You can support the podcast in multiple ways!
- Make a one-time donation at Buy Me a Coffee
- Subscribe to Into History
- Buy some Merch!
- Follow on Social Media @shipwreckspod
- Tell a friend!
Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.
Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
