Lady Elgin. Original Name: Lady Elgin. Owner: A.T. Spencer and Co., 1856, United States, Chicago Builder: J.W. Banta., 1851, United States, New York, Buffalo Year Built: 1851 Year Engine Built: 1851 Final Disposition: Sunk in collision with Sch. "Augusta" off Pt. Winnetka Illinois on September 8, 1860. Nearly 300 lives. Notes: Documented November 11, 1851. Said to have had name "Lady Elgin" painted on paddle boxes origninally. Names in honor of wife of Lord Elgin, government general of Canada in 1847-1854. Registry Number: US. (None too early) Hull Number: None Vessel Type: Passenger and freight, sidewheel Length: 252 ft. Width: 33.7 ft. Height: 14.3 ft. Gross Tonnage: 1037 t. Materials: Wood Engine Type: Beam