Identification & Basic Information
- Name: R. Kendrick
- Official Number: 71081
- Built: 1874, Morrisburg, Ontario by W. Gillard
- Type: Small screw-propelled Tug/Ferry
Construction & Propulsion Details
- Hull dimensions: 58 ft (length) × 12 ft (beam) × 4 ft (depth), 15 gross tons
- Engine: single-cylinder steam engine (9″ × 10″) by Pound Manufacturing Co., Lockport, NY
- Purpose: Built as small Tug or Ferry, later repurposed for Tug duty on Lake Simcoe
Ownership & Operational History
| Years | Owner(s) & Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1874–1877 | J. L. Allison & R. G. Nash, Morrisburg | Initial registration and operation |
| 1881 | Leacy & McLatchie, Brockville | Regional Ferry/Tug use |
| 1886 | J. Ward, Owen Sound | Possible relocation from St. Lawrence to Georgian Bay |
| 1891–1895 | L. Miller, Roche’s Point | Moved to Lake Simcoe as a Tug |
- 1891 Conversion: Transferred for Tug service on Lake Simcoe; de-registered or reflagged in Ontario jurisdiction
- No recorded major incidents or rebuilds beyond the initial specifications
Final Disposition
- How: Scuttled
- When & Where: No specific records found
- It was likely intentionally sunk upon decommissioning, possibly near Roche’s Point or in a shallow harbor such as Port Rowan or Penetanguishene.
Gaps & Recommended Research
- Scuttling Details
- Need to locate date and precise location of scuttling by consulting provincial decommissioning logs or Ministry of Transportation records in Ontario.
- Registry Documentation
- Examine annual vessel registry books (Circa 1870s–1890s) in Canada for any Rebuild or official change notices.
- Local Historical Records
- Investigate newspapers and municipal records from Morrisburg, Brockville, Owen Sound, and Roche’s Point for disposal notices or Tug fleet updates.
- Company Archives
- Research whether Allison & Nash, Ben Leacy/McLatchie, J. Ward, or L. Miller business records contain notes about vessel scrapping.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1874, W. Gillard, Morrisburg, ON |
| Dimensions | 58 × 12 × 4 ft; 15 GRT |
| Engine | 9″ × 10″ steam—Pound Manufacturing Co. |
| Use | Ferry/Tug across St. Lawrence & Lake Simcoe |
| Final Owner | L. Miller (Roche’s Point)—scuttled |
| Fate | Scuttled (no date/site recorded) |
Conclusion
R. Kendrick was a modest, utilitarian screw Tug built for regional operations along the St. Lawrence and Lake Simcoe. Although she appears to have saved most of her lifespan, her final disposal—scuttling—was undocumented in major vessel registries or shipping logs. To fill in the missing details, focused searches in Ontario maritime administration records, local newspapers from the late 1890s, and possible municipal scrap logs are recommended. If you’d like, I can assist with initiating those archival searches or contacting Ontario maritime libraries.