City of Ainsworth (1898)

The SS City of Ainsworth sternwheeler was built in 1892 on the beach at Ainsworth Hot Springs on Kootenay Lake by four local residents David Bremner, John Watson, William Jevons and Samuel Lovatt. The vessel foundered in a storm on Kootenay Lake while enroute from Nelson to Bonners Ferry on November 29, 1898. The sinking of the Ainsworth represents the single largest (6 crew and 3 passengers) loss of life on Kootenay Lake.

The wreck lies upright and mostly intact in 115 metres of water near Cape Horn on the west shore of Crawford Bay. The upper deck and pilot house are shattered, but the sternwheel is intact. The boiler and engines are still in place on the main deck. The vessel sank with its cargo of furniture and household supplies bound for Creston still on board.

The remains of the SS City of Ainsworth represent a significant example of advanced late nineteenth century marine technology. The ship’s paddlewheel, which features offset bucket planks which were intended to reduce vibration of the wheel, is the only one of its type to be documented on a B.C. sternwheeler

Note: This shipwreck has been designated as a provincial heritage site under section 9 of the Heritage Conservation Act. It is illegal to damage, alter or remove a heritage object from a heritage wreck except under a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch.