SS Lion (1867)

SS Lion was the first wooden body steam ship in Newfoundland and Labrador, constructed in 1867. The ship's main purpose was to head back and forth within the sealing industry from the ice of Labrador to St. John's, Newfoundland. In 1882 the ship left St. John's on January 6, to prepare for the upcoming seal hunt. Under the leadership of Captain Patrick Fowlow of Trinity, Newfoundland, the ship started to make its way to Trinity. Carrying passengers and a load of coal, the ship was soon lost in the middle of the night, although good weather conditions. Most believe the ship exploded due to a leak in the boiler. The loss claimed the lives of all passengers, crew and captain. All that was found was a small amount of debris and the body of a young women from St. John's.