xx Barrie's Sidewheeler

in Ontario. Consuming alcohol was often frowned upon, especially
among the well-heeled “upstanding” citizens. However, private
excursions aboard the Ida Burton were rarely dry, and were used as
opportunities to indulge in alcohol away from prying eyes. Parties,
complete with musical entertainment, were often the highlight of the
summer social season.
George Burton didn't enjoy her success for long. He drowned in Lake
Simcoe on June 10, 1869. He was only 33 years old.
After his death, the Ida Burton was taken over by sons Martin and James
Lindsay.
Though she continued for a time in the passenger trade, the steamship's
fortunes were undermined when the Northern railway was extended to
Gravenhurst. She was increasingly utilized as part of the Burton Brothers'
industrial business by towing logs from timber camps around the lakes to
their sawmill at Barrie.
End of the Ida Burton
In 1875, the Ida Burton was badly damaged in a collision with another
vessel. With their timber fortunes now being made at Byng Inlet on
Georgian Bay, there was no real reason for the Burtons to rebuild their
steamship, so she remained moored along the Barrie docks.
Her end came a year later when her machinery was removed for sale and
she was taken to Orillia and ignominiously sunk at the lakeshore to serve
as the foundation of a wharf. She lies there still,
The steamship’s passing wasn't much of a setback for the Burton
brothers, who went on to help found the Barrie Electric Light Company
and other enterprises. Martin also went into the lumber business in a big
way. With extensive timber rights and a huge mill at Byng Inlet along
Georgian Bay, he became one of the wealthiest lumber barons in Ontario.
James Lindsay devoted much of his later years to local politics, serving
many years as deputy reeve of Barrie and then as reeve from 1889 to
1890.