IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The William Johnston was a wooden tugboat designed primarily for towing operations. Built by the Calvin Company on Garden Island, Ontario, in 1878, the vessel featured a steeple compound engine with two cylinders, providing propulsion through a screw system. The tugboat was equipped with a firebox boiler capable of generating 74 pounds of steam. Over its operational lifespan, the William Johnston underwent several rebuilds, increasing in length and beam dimensions, reflecting its durability and continued service in the Great Lakes maritime industry.
HISTORY #
The William Johnston was initially commissioned by Henry Rooney and owned by Calvin Co., playing a significant role in the maritime activities around Kingston, Ontario, and the broader Great Lakes region. The tugboat was primarily used for towing but also participated in various other maritime operations.
In 1886, the vessel was rebuilt and sold to Sin-Mac Lines Ltd., based in Montreal, Quebec. Its home port was changed to Kingston, Ontario. Further modifications occurred in 1897, extending its length to 86 feet. In 1921, the William Johnstoncame under the ownership of Donnelly Salvage Co. in Kingston, Ontario, continuing its utility in salvage and towing operations.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
After decades of service, the William Johnston was retired and scuttled in the Wolfe Island Graveyard in Lake Ontario. The vessel now rests at a depth of 98 feet, where it serves as a historical site for divers and maritime historians.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the William Johnston lies in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, accessible to divers. A mooring system installed by the Ottawa Beavers Scuba Club helps to identify and explore the site. Given its wooden construction and long submersion period, the wreck’s condition may vary, but it remains an important piece of Great Lakes maritime history.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Divehub.ca: Provides details for divers exploring the Wolfe Island Graveyard, including the wreck of the William Johnston.
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Offers historical data and ship histories, including the William Johnston.
- Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project 1998: Archival footage and photographs documenting wrecks in Lake Ontario, including the William Johnston.
- Vlada Dekina Photogallery 2002: Photographs of shipwrecks in the Lake Ontario region, potentially featuring the William Johnston.
ANALYSIS #
The William Johnston exemplifies the essential role tugboats played in the Great Lakes’ maritime industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s service life, spanning multiple rebuilds and ownership changes, reflects the ongoing demand for robust maritime workhorses. The tugboat’s final resting place in the Wolfe Island Graveyard underscores the common practice of scuttling retired vessels in designated areas, contributing to the rich underwater heritage of Lake Ontario. The wreck offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of a working tugboat from a bygone era, with the mooring system aiding in its preservation and accessibility for historical and diving exploration.
KEYWORDS #
- WILLIAM JOHNSTON
- Wolfe Island Graveyard
- Lake Ontario shipwrecks
- Great Lakes tugboat
- Calvin Co.
- Donnelly Salvage Co.
- Ottawa Beavers Scuba Club
- Scuttled vessels
