The Anna Augusta

The Anna Augusta was a side wheeler built in Fredericton in 1850. She was 158-feet long and had a gross tonnage of 67.

The Anna Augusta was in an accident one night in the spring of 1852. She was on her way upriver with passengers when, sometime between one and two o'clock, off Hardings Point, she collided with the Transit on her downward trip from Fredericton. Both boats were going full speed at the time. The powerful Transit struck the Anna Augusta on the starboard bow and stove her in. The impact buckled a boiler plate causing the boiler to explode. Those passengers in the forward part were scalded by steam and boiling water, with several of them fatally injured. Following a coroner's inquest, four of the officers and crew of the two steamers were charged with manslaughter caused by their "culpable inattention to duty". While they were acquitted, the more responsible owners realized that safety devices were desirable and when the Anna Augusta was being repaired, a gas signal light was installed.

In this picture, the New Brunswick delegates to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference left Fredericton on board the Anna Augusta. The conference would lead to the creation of the Dominion of Canada three years later.

The Anna Augusta was destroyed in 1867.