- Tug Boat
- 98ffw
- 86f Length
- Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario
- N 44’07.490 W 76’33.480
The tug (towboat) named WILLIAM JOHNSTON was built in 1878 in Garden City, Ontario. It had an official number of 80874. The vessel, constructed of wood, was commissioned by Henry Rooney and originally owned by Calvin Co., located on Garden Island, Ontario.
Powered by a steeple compound engine with two cylinders, the tug utilized a screw propulsion system. The engine, measuring 10 inches by 17 inches, was built by Calvin Co. in Garden Island in 1878. It was accompanied by a 5’2″ x 10′ firebox boiler, generating 74 pounds of steam, also manufactured by Calvin Co. in the same year.
In terms of its dimensions, the WILLIAM JOHNSTON spanned 85 feet 9 inches in length, 20 feet 9 inches in beam, and had a depth of 6 feet 6 inches. Its gross tonnage was recorded as 95, with a net tonnage of 53.
Over the years, the tug underwent several changes in ownership and modifications. In 1886, it was rebuilt and came under the ownership of Sin-Mac Lines Ltd., based in Montreal, Quebec. The home port was changed to Kingston, Ontario. By 1888, the vessel was in the possession of D.D. Calvin, located on Garden Island, with tonnage figures of 81 gross and 77 net tons.
Another rebuilding took place in 1897, resulting in increased dimensions of 86 feet in length and 21 feet in beam. The tonnage remained at 95 tons. In 1921, ownership of the tug transferred to Donnelly Salvage Co. in Kingston, Ontario.
