Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: ADAM AINSLIE (formerly RICHARD S. KING)
• Other Names: ADAM AINSLEY (in some records)
• Official Number: C94765 (after rebuild)
• Vessel Type: Propeller Tug
• Year Built: 1883
• Builder: William Ross, Port Robinson, Ontario
• Material: Wood
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 70 feet (21.3 meters)
  • Beam: 16 feet (4.9 meters)
  • Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 59 tons
• Net Tonnage: 40 tons
• Engine: High-pressure steam engine, single cylinder (18 x 20 inches), 20 horsepower, manufactured by Sutton Brothers, Buffalo, NY

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ADAM AINSLIE was a wooden propeller tug designed for towing and general maritime support. Its modest size and single-cylinder high-pressure steam engine made it suitable for operations in the confined waters of the Great Lakes, such as harbors, rivers, and bays.

HISTORY

Early Years as RICHARD S. KING (1883–1891):

• Built in 1883 by William Ross in Port Robinson, Ontario, the vessel was originally named RICHARD S. KING.
• Operated primarily as a tugboat, its compact and robust design was well-suited to Great Lakes operations.

Ownership Transfer and Fire (1891):

• Ownership transferred to Windsor, Ontario, in 1891.
• On September 20, 1891, the tug caught fire and sank off Tobermory in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. Despite the severity of the incident, no casualties were reported.

Rebuild and Renaming (1892):

• The tug was salvaged, rebuilt, and enlarged by John Simpson at Owen Sound, Ontario.
• Renamed ADAM AINSLIE and assigned a new official number (C94765), the vessel retained its original dimensions and gross tonnage after the rebuild.

Later Years (1892–?):

The ADAM AINSLIE continued operations after its rebuild. However, specific details about its subsequent history and ultimate fate are not provided.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• The ADAM AINSLIE was rebuilt at John Simpson Shipyard in Owen Sound, Ontario, on Georgian Bay.
• Further information about the vessel’s ultimate fate is not available.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the ADAM AINSLIE. Its wreck location is not documented.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the ADAM AINSLIE (if any remains exist) has not been identified, and its precise location is unknown.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

Given the rebuild and return to service, it is unlikely any significant remains exist from the original RICHARD S. KING. The ADAM AINSLIE‘s final condition and location remain unverified, with no known exploration or recovery efforts.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships Database

KEYWORDS•ADAM AINSLIE•RICHARD S. KING•Propeller Tug•Georgian Bay•Tobermory•Owen Sound Shipyard•Great Lakes Maritime History

CONCLUSION

The ADAM AINSLIE (formerly RICHARD S. KING) represents a common type of working vessel on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Its resilience is evident in its survival and rebuild after the 1891 fire and sinking. Despite gaps in its later history, the tug highlights the versatility and durability of wooden vessels designed for Great Lakes operations. Its documented rebuild in Owen Sound and brief period of service under the name ADAM AINSLIE offer valuable insights into the life cycle of working ships during this era.

adam-ainslie-richard-s-king-us-85421-c-94765 1891-09-20 07:50:00