IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Name: SIMLA

Type: Wooden Canaller/Bulk Freighter

Dimensions:

•Length: 225.6 feet between perpendiculars (68.75 meters), 230.75 feet overall (70.31 meters)

•Registered Tonnage: 1,196.87 gross tons, 730.94 net tons (post-remeasurement in 1912)

Depth at Wreck Site: 98 feet (29.87 meters)

Location: Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario

Coordinates: N 44 06.976’, W 76 33.606’

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The SIMLA was a wooden bulk freighter, often called a “canaller” for its design tailored to navigating the locks of the Great Lakes. Built in 1903 at Garden Island, Ontario, the vessel was notable for its capability to carry 40,000 bushels of wheat or 1,200 tons on a 14-foot Draft. It was powered by a three-cylinder triple expansion steam engine, generating 750 indicated horsepower, making it a reliable vessel for bulk cargo like ore and wheat.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Years

Launched on May 9, 1903, the SIMLA was commissioned by Calvin Co. for service in the ore trade between Deseronto and Sault Ste. Marie. Its robust construction earned it an A1 Lloyd’s rating* in 1906, reflecting the highest standards of seaworthiness and quality.

Operational Career

The SIMLA faced numerous challenges throughout its career, including:

•1911: Grounded near Longue Pointe, Montreal.

•1915–1916: Multiple collisions and groundings.

•1918: Sold to Angel B. Lagueruela of Havana, Cuba, but ownership reverted due to a failed transaction.

Over time, the vessel operated under the Montreal Transportation Co. and Canada Steamship Lines until its use declined. By the mid-1920s, the SIMLA was laid up in Portsmouth, Ontario, signaling the end of its active career.

Tragic Demise

On November 18, 1926, the SIMLA was destroyed by fire at its layup berth. Although the engines were salvaged and repurposed for the freighter MAPLEHEATH, the vessel was officially struck from the registry in 1929. The remains of the SIMLA were raised on September 6, 1937, and deliberately scuttled in the Wolfe Island Graveyard.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The SIMLA rests at a depth of 98 feet in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario, alongside other retired vessels. It is part of a deliberate scuttling site, preserving the history of wooden freighters in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition:

The wooden construction of the SIMLA likely shows significant deterioration, although elements like the Keel and machinery remnants may still be identifiable.

•Accessibility:

The wreck lies at a depth suitable for intermediate and advanced divers. Its location in the Wolfe Island Graveyard, a known scuttling site, adds to its historical interest for maritime archaeology and diving enthusiasts.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Divehub.ca Dive Site Information: Insights into diving the Wolfe Island Graveyard, including the SIMLA.

•Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL): Comprehensive historical records and ship histories.

•Queens University Video Tape Holdings POW Photo Project (1998): Archival footage documenting shipwrecks in Lake Ontario.

•Vlada Dekina Photogallery (2002): Photographic documentation of Lake Ontario shipwrecks.

CONCLUSION

The SIMLA exemplifies the legacy of early 20th-century Great Lakes shipping, transitioning from a prized asset to a historical relic. Its eventual scuttling in the Wolfe Island Graveyard highlights the challenges of adapting to the evolving needs of maritime commerce. Today, the wreck offers a unique window into the past, serving as a resource for divers and historians interested in the engineering and operations of wooden bulk freighters.

KEYWORDS

SIMLA, Wolfe Island Graveyard, Lake Ontario shipwreck, Great Lakes bulk freighter, Calvin Co., Montreal Transportation Co., Canada Steamship Lines, scuttled wooden vessel, maritime history, Lake Ontario diving sites.