Identification

  • Vessel Name: CITY OF KINGSTON
  • Year Built: 1874
  • Official Number: 71176
  • Construction and Ownership
  • Built at: Kingston, Ontario
  • Builder: W. Ainslie
  • Ownership Chronology:
    • 1874: Owned by W. B. & S. Anglin, Kingston
    • 1877: Owned by S. Anglin, Kingston
    • 1886: Owned by W. B. Anglin, Kingston
    • 1887: Owned by R. Davis, Kingston
  • Power and Dimensions
    • Propulsion: Sidewheel
    • Engine: 14×48, built by G. J. Tranby, Kingston
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 102 feet (31.1 meters)
    • Beam: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
    • Depth: 7 feet (2.1 meters)
    • Gross Tonnage: 253 tons

History

The CITY OF KINGSTON was a sidewheel Steamer launched on April 27, 1874, for use in Rideau and St. Lawrence passenger serviceand occasional routes to the Bay of Quinte. The vessel played a prominent role in local transportation in the late 19th century, connecting communities across the waterways of eastern Ontario.

After a brief period of active service, the vessel appears to have ceased operations around 1880. By 1887, the CITY OF KINGSTON was converted into a Barge, marking the end of its career as a Steamer. This repurposing was a common fate for older vessels, reflecting both the economic realities and the adaptive reuse of maritime assets during the era.

Final Disposition

How: Rebuilt as a Barge in 1887, ending its service as a passenger Steamer.

Status: No longer in use as a Steamer post-1880.

Significance

The CITY OF KINGSTON exemplifies the versatility of 19th-century Great Lakes vessels, transitioning from a passenger Steamer to a Barge as its utility in passenger service waned. Its brief operational life as a Steamer highlights the challenges faced by such vessels in maintaining profitability amid evolving transportation needs.

Contact and Resources

Source: Maritime History of the Great Lakes Website: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Tags Great Lakes History Sidewheel Steamer Rideau Canal Bay of Quinte 19th-Century Maritime Adaptation

Conclusion

The CITY OF KINGSTON represents the evolution of maritime transportation on the Great Lakes. From its early days as a passenger Steamer connecting communities to its eventual Conversion into a Barge, the vessel’s history mirrors the adaptive strategies of 19th-century shipping enterprises. Though its time in active service was short, its legacy remains a notable part of Kingston’s maritime heritage.