IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
SITE DESCRIPTION
While the vessel itself no longer exists, having been dismantled in 1920, the history of the JAMES SWIFT (later renamed RIDEAU KING) remains significant to the maritime heritage of Kingston and the surrounding waterways. The vessel was built in 1893 and played an important role in passenger transportation for the Rideau Lakes Navigation Co.
HISTORY
The JAMES SWIFT was launched in 1893 by Robert Davis in Kingston, Ontario. The vessel, built with a wooden hull, measured 107 feet in length, 23.33 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. The ship had a gross tonnage of 266 tons and a net tonnage of 197 tons. It was initially registered under the name JAMES SWIFT with the official number 96920.
In 1901, the vessel was renamed RIDEAU KING but retained the same official number. The RIDEAU KING was owned by the Rideau Lakes Navigation Co. of Kingston, Ontario, and was primarily used as a propeller-driven passenger ship. The vessel was powered by a 12-horsepower engine, making it a modest yet capable vessel for the transportation of passengers through the scenic waterways of the Rideau Lakes.
The vessel served its owners and passengers well for nearly three decades. However, by 1920, the RIDEAU KING was dismantled, marking the end of its operational life. The ship was scrapped, and its parts were likely repurposed or disposed of, as was common practice at the time. The dismantling concluded the vessel’s history on the waterways of Ontario.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The JAMES SWIFT, later known as RIDEAU KING, was dismantled in 1920. There is no wreck to explore as the vessel was scrapped and no remnants are known to exist.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
There are no specific Notices to Mariners related to the JAMES SWIFT (RIDEAU KING), as the vessel was dismantled and no longer exists as a wreck.
LOCATED BY & DATE
The dismantling of the RIDEAU KING took place in 1920, and since then, no physical remnants of the vessel have been reported.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
As the vessel was dismantled, there is no wreck or site to access. The history of the JAMES SWIFT (RIDEAU KING) is preserved through historical records and accounts.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – JAMES SWIFT/RIDEAU KING: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wrecksite Database – RIDEAU KING: Wrecksite Database
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
- The Archaeology of Watercraft Abandonment: Watercraft Abandonment
KEYWORDS
- JAMES SWIFT, RIDEAU KING, Propeller Vessel, Kingston, Ontario, Rideau Lakes, Maritime History, Great Lakes, Dismantled Ship, Passenger Transportation.
ANALYSIS The JAMES SWIFT, later known as the RIDEAU KING, played a significant role in passenger transportation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its service life reflects the importance of maritime travel in connecting communities along the waterways of Ontario. While the vessel no longer exists, its history remains a valuable part of Kingston’s maritime heritage. The dismantling of the vessel in 1920 marked the end of an era, but the stories and records of its journeys continue to contribute to our understanding of the region’s transportation history.
