Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rideau King
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller passenger steamer
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: Robert Davis, Kingston, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 107.0 ft (32.6 m); Beam: 23.33 ft (7.1 m); Depth: 6.0 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 266 gross / 197 net tons
- Location: Kingston, Ontario
- Official Number: 96920
- Original Owners: Holton & Flint (as James Swift); Rideau Lakes Navigation Co. (as Rideau King)
- Number of Masts: N/A
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rideau King was a wooden-hulled, screw-propelled passenger steamer designed for service in Ontario’s inland waterways.
Description
The James Swift (later Rideau King) was built to carry passengers comfortably along the scenic Rideau Lakes and canal system, offering both utility transportation and leisure cruising during a period of growing tourism in Ontario.
History
Launched in Kingston in 1893 by shipbuilder Robert Davis, the James Swift entered service for Holton & Flint. She quickly became a familiar sight in the Rideau Lakes region, ferrying locals, tourists, and light cargo between communities linked by the Rideau Canal.
In 1901, the vessel was renamed Rideau King and continued operation under the Rideau Lakes Navigation Co. This period coincided with a boom in excursion travel, as city residents sought recreational trips along Ontario’s waterways. The Rideau King contributed to this trade for nearly 30 years, serving as both transport and tourist attraction.
Significant Incidents
- No significant incidents reported.
Final Disposition
By 1920, the aging wooden steamer had outlived its commercial utility in an era increasingly dominated by steel-hulled vessels. Rather than being abandoned or sunk, the Rideau King was systematically dismantled at Kingston. No wreck or remains survive today.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No wreck site exists; the vessel was scrapped in 1920. The site presents no hazard.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rideau-king-james-swiftc-96920″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
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