GERMANIC (later RELIEVER)

Type: Bulk Carrier, later converted to Steam Barge

Lengths:

• Original: 216 ft (65.8 m)

• Rebuilt: 226 ft (68.9 m)

Depths: 20 ft (6 m)

Location: Methodist Point Bay, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

GPS Coordinates: N 44° 51.136’ W 80° 00.86’

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Original Name: GERMANIC

• Later Name: RELIEVER

• Construction:

• Builder: Unknown, built in West Bay City, Michigan

• Year Built: 1888

• Material: Wooden Hull

• Propulsion: Steam-powered

• Ownership:

• Original: J.T. Hutchinson, Cleveland, Ohio

• Later: Manley Chew, Midland, Ontario

HISTORY

As GERMANIC (1888–1904):

• Purpose: Steam-powered bulk freighter transporting coal and other goods.

• 1901: Rebuilt, reducing Gross Tonnage from 1,391 to 959 tons.

• Incident:

• On November 4, 1904, GERMANIC grounded in foggy conditions at Stag Island on the St. Clair River.

• Two days later, a fire erupted in the engine room, consuming the vessel to the waterline.

As RELIEVER (1908–1909):

• Rebuild: In 1908, Manley Chew of Midland purchased and Rebuilt the burned Hull, lengthening it to 226 ft. The vessel was renamed RELIEVER and repurposed as a steam Barge for transporting lumber.

• Final Incident:

• On November 3, 1909, RELIEVER caught fire while loading lumber at Third Beach (now part of Awenda Park).

• To save the dock and mill, the vessel was released to drift into Methodist Point Bay, where it burned to the waterline.

• Over time, its timbers were salvaged for local use.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Current Condition:

• Scattered remains lie in the shallow waters of Methodist Bay near the Second Beach Viewing Platform.

• Larger sections of the Hull (10’ x 10’) are present, along with various wood and metal fragments bent and broken by ice.

• The wreck is spread over a large area, making it suitable for piece-by-piece exploration.

• Historical Salvage:

• During World War I, the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding Company salvaged metallic components, including the engine, boiler, shaft, and propeller, for the war effort.

DIVE NOTES

• Site Entry: Best accessed via shore; the wreck lies close to the beach and Second Beach Viewing Platform.

• Points of Interest:

• A massive square rock near the site serves as a notable starting point for exploring the wreck.

• Scattered remains include sections of the Hull, bent and twisted metal, and remnants of the fire-damaged structure.

• Marine life includes smallmouth bass and turtles.

• Depth: Mostly shallow (~6 ft/2 m); some areas reach up to 10 ft (3 m).

• Visibility: Generally good, but conditions may vary with weather.

• Safety Notes: Caution is advised due to sharp objects and remnants from historical waste-burning practices.

SIGNIFICANCE

The dual identity of the GERMANIC/RELIEVER reflects the ingenuity and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its transformation from a bulk freighter to a lumber Barge and its eventual demise highlight the challenges faced by maritime industries in the region. Today, its wreck serves as both a historical site and a fascinating dive destination.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL)

• Collingwood Bulletin (December 16, 1909)

• Dominion of Canada Vessel Register (1909)

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Merchant Vessel List (U.S., 1904)

• Steamboat Inspection Report, Marine & Fisheries (1910)

• Various newspaper archives and personal interviews.

This structured format ensures comprehensive documentation of the GERMANIC/RELIEVER, emphasizing its historical significance and value as a dive site.