Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Parthia

• Year of Build: 1896

• Official Number: 103641

• Built At: Garden Island, Ontario

• Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)

• Hull Material: Wood

• Builder: A. Brian

• Original Owner: Dexter D. Calvin & Co., Garden Island, Ontario

Power

• Propulsion: Sidewheel

Hull Dimensions

• Length: 126.8 feet (38.65 meters)

• Beam: 38.3 feet (11.67 meters)

• Depth: 7.1 feet (2.16 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 198 tons (179.6 metric tons)

• Net Tonnage: 84 tons (76.2 metric tons)

Vessel Type

The Parthia was a wooden sidewheel Tugboat designed for towing and other support tasks within the Great Lakes. Like many sidewheelers of its time, it was built to handle the unique conditions of the lakes, leveraging a sidewheel propulsion system that allowed for maneuverability and stability while towing.

Description

Constructed in 1896 at Garden Island by A. Brian for Dexter D. Calvin & Co., the Parthia was among the last wooden sidewheel tugboats produced for the bustling maritime activities on the Great Lakes. Dexter D. Calvin & Co. was instrumental in Great Lakes trade and shipbuilding in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly through their operations on Garden Island, which became a prominent hub for shipping and vessel repairs. The Parthia’s construction featured a sturdy wooden Hull and significant beam width for stability, contributing to its reliable service in towing operations.

History

The Parthia served actively during the late 1890s and into the early 20th century, reflecting the peak era of wooden steam-powered tugs on the Great Lakes. However, by the early 1900s, with advancements in shipbuilding and the shift toward steel hulls and more efficient propulsion systems, wooden vessels like the Parthia began to be phased out. Around 1914-1916, the Parthia was Abandoned and scrapped, ending its service life in a period of rapid technological change in the maritime industry. This shift marked a common trend of retiring older wooden vessels in favor of more modern steel-hulled ships.

Final Dispositions

• Final Location: Likely scrapped at Garden Island

• Date: Circa 1914-1916

• Cause: Abandoned and scrapped as obsolete technology

Notes

The Parthia is documented in the records of C. Patrick Labadie, a prominent maritime historian whose work focused on Great Lakes shipwrecks and historical vessels. The Parthia is remembered as part of the rich maritime history of Kingston and Garden Island, representing the era of wooden steam-powered tugs that once dominated the lakes. Its scrapping reflects broader shifts in Great Lakes trade and ship construction, which moved toward modern materials and design.

Resources & Links

• 3D Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Historical Society – Great Lakes Ships

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks

• Preserve Our Wrecks Kingston

• Library and Archives Canada – Ship Registrations

Conclusion

The Parthia highlights the lifecycle of Great Lakes tugboats during a period of transition from wood to steel construction. Its story, preserved through historical records, exemplifies the growth of industrial shipping on the lakes and the eventual decline of wooden steam-powered vessels, leaving behind a legacy within Great Lakes maritime history.

Keywords: Great Lakes, shipwreck, Parthia Tugboat, Garden Island, Dexter D. Calvin & Co., wooden steam-powered vessels, maritime history