Shipwreck Report: Saturn (formerly City of Owen Sound)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Other Names: City of Owen Sound

•Type: Steam Barge (formerly a propeller-driven ship)

•Year Built: 1875

•Builder: J. Simpson, Owen Sound, Ontario

•Specifications:

•Length: 172 feet (52.4 meters)

•Beam: 31 feet (9.4 meters)

•Depth: 13 feet (4 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 1,093 (as City of Owen Sound), 883 (as Saturn)

•Net Tonnage: 743 (as City of Owen Sound), 570 (as Saturn)

•Date of Loss: September 17, 1901

•Place of Loss: Near Clapperton Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

•Coordinates: N46 05.067 W082 13.208

•Depth: 30 feet (9 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Saturn, originally launched as the City of Owen Sound, was a wooden steam Barge. Initially built as a propeller-driven passenger and cargo vessel, it was later converted into a steam Barge for towing and bulk transport, reflecting changes in the shipping industry’s demands. The ship underwent several rebuilds and modifications over its operational life, serving both as a freighter and as a Barge for towing operations on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

•Construction & Early Career:

Launched on June 15, 1875, the City of Owen Sound was originally powered by a low-pressure engine salvaged from the Steamer City of London. It operated between Collingwood, Ontario, and Chicago, Illinois, serving both passengers and freight.

•Incidents & Rebuilds:

Over its career, the vessel experienced multiple incidents:

•1875: Collided with the Bark Emma C. Hutchinson in Chicago.

•1881: Ran aground on rocks near Gore Bay, Georgian Bay.

•1884: Stranded at Michipicoten River on Lake Superior.

These mishaps necessitated repairs and rebuilds, including significant reconstruction in 1883 and 1892, converting the ship into a steam Barge.

•Renaming & Later Years:

Renamed Saturn in 1896, the vessel continued operations as a towing Barge, assisting ships like the Muskoka and Waubushene. By this time, it primarily transported bulk cargoes such as coal, with occasional towing duties.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On September 17, 1901, while navigating Georgian Bay with a coal cargo, the Saturn encountered a severe gale. The storm overwhelmed the vessel, causing it to founder approximately 40 miles northwest of Owen Sound. The ship sank near Clapperton Island, marking the end of its long and eventful career. The wreck lies in 30 feet (9 meters) of water, making it accessible to divers today.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) currently associated with the wreck of the Saturn. Divers and boaters should exercise standard precautions when navigating or exploring the area.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition:

The Saturn’s wooden Hull has deteriorated over time, but key features such as parts of the Hull, engine components, and structural elements remain visible.

•Accessibility:

Resting at a depth of 30 feet (9 meters), the wreck is accessible to recreational divers. The site is suitable for exploration, offering a glimpse into the history of Great Lakes steam barges.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Scanner Ship of the Month No. 153 – CITY OF OWEN SOUND

•Great Lakes Shipwreck Research

•Historic Vessels of the Great Lakes

CONCLUSION

The Saturn, originally launched as the City of Owen Sound, exemplifies the evolution of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its transition from a propeller ship to a steam Barge mirrors the changing needs of the shipping industry. Despite its eventual loss in 1901, the vessel’s history, marked by resilience and adaptation, remains a testament to the ingenuity and challenges of Great Lakes shipping. Today, the wreck near Clapperton Island offers divers and historians a tangible connection to this storied past.

KEYWORDS

•Saturn

•City of Owen Sound

•Steam Barge

•Clapperton Island

•Georgian Bay Shipwreck

•Lake Huron

•Great Lakes Maritime History

•Shipwreck Exploration