F. Jenkins – Kingston, Ontario

Overview

F. Jenkins was a shipbuilder based in Kingston, Ontario, active during the mid-to-late 19th century. While not widely documented, he was involved in the construction of wooden vessels, particularly steam-powered ferries and propeller-driven ships for use on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.

Notable Vessels Built by F. Jenkins

• Watertown (later renamed Union) – A wooden propeller ferry, built in 1866 (possibly rebuilt from an 1864 vessel). This ferry operated on the Niagara River, serving the Fort Erie–Buffalo route under the Fort Erie Ferry and Railway Co. It was lost in 1902 due to hull failure, possibly scuttled.
• The Annie Falconer was a two-masted wooden schooner built in Kingston, Ontario, in 1867 by Foster Jenkins and Company. It was designed for versatility, capable of transporting a variety of cargoes such as stone, lumber, coal, and grain. The schooner was integral to the Great Lakes shipping industry, serving Canadian and American ports throughout its operational life.

Other vessels may have been constructed by Jenkins’ shipyard, but historical records on his shipbuilding activities remain limited.

Shipbuilding in Kingston, Ontario

During the 19th century, Kingston was one of Canada’s leading shipbuilding centers, producing wooden sailing ships, steamers, and naval vessels. Key industries included:

• Ferry and lake transport ships for passenger and freight services.
• Steam-powered vessels for trade and government use.
• Naval and military vessels, given Kingston’s strategic location near the Royal Military College and Fort Henry.

F. Jenkins was likely one of several independent or small-scale shipbuilders contributing to Kingston’s maritime industry, alongside larger firms like Calvin & Son and Bartlett & Co.

Legacy & Impact

Jenkins’ shipbuilding efforts supported regional transportation, particularly in the ferry industry. The Watertown/Union played a role in Niagara River commerce for over three decades.

His work is a part of Kingston’s rich maritime history, which transitioned from wooden shipbuilding to steel-hulled vessels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Kingston Shipbuilding History
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

F. Jenkins was an important but lesser-documented shipbuilder in Kingston’s maritime industry. His construction of the Watertown/Union exemplifies the transition from wooden ferries to more durable steamships in the Great Lakes region. His contributions helped facilitate commerce and transport, especially along the Niagara River and Lake Ontario.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Kingston shipbuilding, wooden steamers, ferry construction, Great Lakes maritime history, Niagara River transport

Categories: Canadian shipbuilders, Great Lakes ferry history, 19th-century wooden shipbuilding

Glossary Terms: Shipbuilder, Wooden Steamship, Kingston Maritime Industry, Niagara River Ferries