George Henry Wyatt (1828-1883): Agent, Shipowner, Entrepreneur, and One-Man Naval Department
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25071/2561-5467.997Keywords:
George Henry Wyatt, Fenian crisis, Confederation, immigration, trade and commerceAbstract
This is a first attempt to trace the life of George Henry Wyatt. He has previously been known only for his work procuring and administering the civilian steamers provided by Canada for arming and operation by the Royal Navy on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence frontier during the Fenian crisis of 1866-1871. The research presented here shows that by the 1860s he had become a significant member of the Toronto business community. Among several enterprises, he was particularly active as a ship owner and agent for steamship and railway lines. This experience accounted for his selection by the government to organize the flotilla of steamers for the Royal Navy, and his success in that role. He was, however, not able to overcome the effects in Canada of the international economic downturn of the 1870s. He died in a new venture, to promote immigration to the newly opening Canadian west.
Cet article est une première tentative de retracer la vie de George Henry Wyatt. Par le passé, il n’était connu que pour son travail d’acquisition et d’administration des bateaux à vapeur civils fournis par le Canada pour appuyer les efforts d’armement et d’exploitation de la Marine royale sur la frontière des Grands Lacs et du Saint-Laurent pendant la crise des Féniens de 1866-1871. Les recherches présentées ici indiquent que, dans les années 1860, Wyatt était devenu un membre important du milieu des affaires de Toronto. Entre autres entreprises, il était particulièrement actif en tant que propriétaire de navires et agent de compagnies de navigation et de chemin de fer. En raison de son expérience, le gouvernement l’a choisi pour organiser la flottille de bateaux à vapeur pour le compte de la Marine royale, où il a joué un rôle particulièrement efficace. Par contre, il n’a pas été en mesure de surmonter les effets au Canada du ralentissement économique international des années 1870. Wyatt est décédé alors qu’il travaillait sur un nouveau projet, la promotion de l’immigration dans l’Ouest canadien.
References
Brookes, Ivan S. Hamilton Harbour, 1826-1901, transcribed by Walter Lewis. Halton Hills, ON: Maritime History of the Great Lakes, 2001.
Davidson, Malcolm E. “Changing Patterns of Great Lakes Vessel Ownership As a Factor in the Economic Development of Toronto, 1850-1860.” Urban History Review/Revue d’histoire urbain 16, no. 3 (February 1988): 242-254. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7202/1017733ar
Cline, Lawrence E. Rebels on the Niagara: The Fenian Invasion of Canada, 1866. Albany, NY: Excelsior Editions, 2018.
Genealogical Society of Utah. British Isles Vital Records Index, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, 2002.
Green, Patricia. …and They Came to East Flamborough: A celebration of East Flamborough Township’s pre-Confederation heritage. Waterdown: East Flamborough Heritage Society, 1997.
MacDonald, Cheryl. Gunboats on the Great Lakes 1866-68: The British Navy’s show of force at the time of Confederation. Toronto: James Lorimer, 2017.
Melville, Thomas Richard. “Canada and Sea Power: Canadian Naval Thought and Policy, 1860-1910. PhD diss., Duke University, 1981.
Owram, Doug. Promise of Eden: The Canadian Expansionist Movement and the Idea of the West, 1856-1900. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1992. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3138/9781442678811
Sarty, Roger. “‘The Army Origin of the Royal Canadian Navy’: Canada’s Maritime Defences, 1855-1918.” The Northern Mariner 30, no. 4 (Winter 2020): 341-378. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25071/2561-5467.41
Shaw, Susan Evans. Heritage Treasures: The historic homes of Ancaster, Burlington, Dundas East, Flamborough, Hamilton, Stoney Creek and Waterdown. Toronto: Lorimer, 2004.
Swainson, Donald. “The North-West Transportation Company: Personnel and Attitudes.” Historical and Scientific Society of Manitoba, Papers, Series II, No. 26 (1969-70): 59-77.
