Shipwreck Report: DRILL BOAT #3 (1924/Acquired)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: DRILL BOAT #3
• Former Names: Unknown
• Official Number: C151110
• Type at Loss: Oil drilling boat
• Date Built and Launched: Acquired or built circa 1924 (exact origins unknown)
• Builder: Unknown (Possibly foreign-built)
• Measurements: 93 tons
• Date Lost: September 9, 1942
• Place of Loss: Abreast of the eastern end of Scarborough Bluffs, Lake Ontario

Vessel Type

Oil Drilling Boat

Description

The DRILL BOAT #3 was an oil drilling vessel, built or acquired from foreign sources around 1924. The vessel was owned by C.S.B.D. & C. Co., based in Toronto, Ontario. Given its classification, the DRILL BOAT #3 would have been equipped with drilling machinery, likely used for exploratory or production drilling in shallow lake waters or along coastal areas.

Unlike typical freighters or passenger ships, drill boats were stationary or slow-moving platforms, designed for marine resource extraction, possibly related to early oil or natural gas exploration in the Great Lakes region.

History

The DRILL BOAT #3 was a specialized vessel, likely operating in Lake Ontario for petroleum or geological exploration. The Toronto-based ownership suggests that it may have been used in industrial and infrastructure projects, possibly related to marine construction or offshore resource extraction.

On September 9, 1942, the vessel Foundered in Lake Ontario near Scarborough Bluffs, a well-known geological landmark on the eastern edge of Toronto. The cause of the sinking is not explicitly detailed, but given the date of loss, it is possible that a storm or rough lake conditions contributed to the disaster.

Reports do not confirm the number of lives lost, nor the exact circumstances of the vessel’s sinking.

Final Disposition

Foundered on September 9, 1942, abreast of the eastern end of Scarborough Bluffs, Lake Ontario. The vessel was a Total Loss. The number of lives lost remains unknown.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of DRILL BOAT #3‘s wreck being located or surveyed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to DRILL BOAT #3‘s wreck site near Scarborough Bluffs, Lake Ontario.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Scarborough Bluffs Geological & Maritime Research

Conclusion

The loss of the DRILL BOAT #3 in 1942 remains a mystery, with limited information available on the vessel’s origins and operations. Drill boats were rare in the Great Lakes, making this an unusual wreck in terms of ship type. The scarcity of details about the crew, cargo, and exact cause of sinking leaves many unanswered questions about its fate.

Given its location near Scarborough Bluffs, the vessel likely faced adverse weather conditions or structural failure before foundering. The lack of post-sinking records suggests that the wreck may have disintegrated over time or remains undiscovered beneath Lake Ontario’s waters.

The DRILL BOAT #3 represents an under-documented chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, highlighting the diversity of industrial vessels that once navigated these inland seas.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: DRILL BOAT #3 shipwreck, Scarborough Bluffs shipwreck, Lake Ontario drilling vessel, Toronto marine industry, 1942 Great Lakes foundering
• Categories: Lake Ontario Shipwrecks, Drilling and Industrial Vessels, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Mid-20th Century Maritime Losses, Scarborough Bluffs Marine History
• Glossary Terms:
• Foundered: A maritime term meaning that a vessel took on water and sank, usually due to weather, structural failure, or collision.
• Drill Boat: A specialized marine vessel equipped for drilling operations, often used for oil exploration, resource extraction, or construction projects.
• Scarborough Bluffs: A geological formation on the eastern Toronto shoreline, known for its steep cliffs and history of maritime incidents.