IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The James A. Walker was a wooden steam tugboat built in 1887 by John Gaskin in Kingston, Ontario. The vessel measured 105.60 feet (32.18 meters) in length, 19.80 feet (6.04 meters) in beam, and 9.60 feet (2.93 meters) in depth. With a gross tonnage of 183.58 tons and a net tonnage of 98.16 tons, the tugboat was an important asset in towing operations across the Great Lakes. The James A. Walker had a carvel-built hull with a rounded stern, a single deck, and no additional rigging. It was powered by a single fore and aft compound steam engine, delivering 150 horsepower, manufactured by The Canadian Locomotive and Engine Company in Kingston. The tug was designed for heavy-duty towing and was equipped with a steam screw for propulsion.
HISTORY: #
The James A. Walker was registered in Canada on November 11, 1887, and was initially part of the Montreal Transportation Company’s fleet. Built at a cost of $3,000, the tug was known for its powerful and innovative engine, the first of its kind to be constructed in Kingston. The vessel’s wooden frame was reinforced with a steel keelson and steel straps, highlighting the advanced construction techniques used to ensure its durability and strength.
On October 22, 1898, while towing the barges KILDONAN and HECTOR from Charlotte, New York, to Kingston, Ontario, the James A. Walker encountered trouble and sank approximately 100 yards off Nicholson Island in Lake Ontario. The incident led to the stranding of both barges, and tragically, one life was lost from the HECTOR. The tugboat and the barges were carrying coal at the time of the incident.
Following the sinking, efforts were made to salvage the James A. Walker. The Donnelly Wrecking & Salvage Co. located the wreck near Nicholson’s Island, and during their operations, they also discovered the wreck of the steamer ZEALAND, which had been lost nearly twenty years earlier. The James A. Walker was eventually salvaged and towed back to Kingston by the Donnelly Wrecking & Salvage Co., using the schooner GRANTHAM as a pontoon.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The James A. Walker was salvaged after sinking but was found to be a total loss. The engine had been removed, and the hull was cut up, rendering the vessel irreparable. The tugboat’s registration was officially closed on January 30, 1900, citing the foundering of the vessel as the reason for closure. The incident marked the end of the James A. Walker‘s service on the Great Lakes.
The wreck’s location near Nicholson Island in Lake Ontario remains a point of historical interest, particularly due to the involvement of the Donnelly Wrecking & Salvage Co. in the salvage operation and the discovery of the ZEALAND wreck during their efforts.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
Given the historical nature of the site and the vessel’s salvage, there are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically associated with the James A. Walker. However, divers and researchers interested in exploring the area near Nicholson Island should follow standard safety protocols and check local regulations.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wrecksite.eu
- Kingston Historical Society
- National Archives of Canada
The James A. Walker is remembered as a significant tugboat in the history of Lake Ontario’s maritime industry. Its innovative design and the events leading to its sinking and subsequent salvage contribute to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history
