In March, 2006, construction excavations undertaken as part of the Malibu condominium development at the northwest corner of Bathurst and Fleet Streets in the Fort York Neighbourhood uncovered substantial portions of the pierhead of the Queen’s Wharf. Archaeological Services Inc., a Toronto cultural resource management firm, was brought in to document these remains, which were part of 1853-56 and 1863 extensions to the original pier of 1833, most of which lies under the former Loblaws warehouse east of Bathurst Street. This southerly section of the wharf remained in operation until the early twentieth century and was subject to frequent modifications and expansion.
Each of the three cribs uncovered was 42 ft. deep from north to south and 21 ft. running east and west. It consisted of a central cell 21 feet square flanked on the north and south by smaller cells measuring 10 ft. 6 in. by 21 feet. Standing a maximum of ten feet high, the cribs were formed of eleven courses of 11 inch-square white pine timbers. These were set directly on leveled clay and ballasted with granite cobbles and blocks. Distances of three inches to almost two feet separated one crib from the next. The gaps between them were filled with densely packed lengths of roundwood poles, scrap lumber and other debris.
In terms of their overall construction the cribs are comparable with small variations in design and technique to similar structures of the period on the waterfront, such as the Esplanade (which has been documented at several places) and at Gooderham & Worts distillery.
Editor’s Note: Urban Tree Salvage, a Scarborough-based company, has acquired some pine beams from the Queen’s Wharf and is taking orders for lumber cut from them. Call UTS’s Marketing Manager, Melissa Neist (647-438-7516) or visit its website www.urbantreesalvage.com
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