The Acadia was a propeller vessel built in 1867 with an official number of 77697. It was constructed in Hamilton, Ontario, by John Malcolmson for the Malcolmson Brothers, who were the original owners. The vessel was designed as a two-deck propeller with a composite hull, meaning it had a combination of materials, likely wood and iron.
Powered by a low-pressure condensing engine built by Beckett & Co. of Hamilton, Ontario, the Acadia had a single cylinder and produced 87 horsepower. Its engine dimensions were 32 x 32 inches. With a length of 136 feet, a beam of 27 feet, and a depth of 7 feet, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 339 and a net tonnage of 217.
Throughout its history, the Acadia had various owners and undertook different roles. In 1868, it delivered oil and supplies to Canadian Lake Lighthouses and was chartered by the Dominion Government. By 1871, the vessel was listed as having iron frames. In 1877, it was re-measured and its dimensions were recorded as 135.8 x 24.6 x 7.0, with a gross tonnage of 372.39 and a net tonnage of 217. The ownership of the Acadia changed over the years, with Elizabeth Malcolmson of Hamilton owning it in 1877, Margaret Sutherland of Hamilton owning it in 1878, and John W. and Donald G. Sutherland of St. Thomas owning it in 1880.
The Acadia faced significant challenges in its lifetime. In April 1882, it underwent repairs and lengthening, which increased its dimensions to 177 x 26 x 12.3 feet and its tonnage to 806 gross and 471 net. On April 11, 1887, it was rebuilt at a cost of $7,000. However, the vessel went missing on November 4, 1896, while sailing on Lake Superior. It was nine days overdue and was feared lost. The crew, consisting of seventeen individuals, managed to reach the shore after the Acadia ran aground near Michipicoten River. The vessel was ultimately declared a total loss, and its wreck was abandoned. The registry for the Acadia was closed on December 17, 1911.
