Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: TELEGRAM
• Official Number: C85497
• Type at Loss: Propeller, Wood, Passenger & Package Freight Steamer
• Builder: J. Storey, Collingwood, Ontario (also reported as built in Waubaushene, Ontario)
• Year Built: 1885
• Specifications: Length: 108 ft (32.9 m) Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m) Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 322
• Net Tonnage: 216
• Rebuilds: Rebuilt in 1889 after sustaining earlier damage 
• Date Lost: November 1, 1908 (some sources incorrectly state October 1)
• Cause: Fire following grounding and Hull breach
• Place of Loss: Rattlesnake Harbor, Fitzwilliam Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• Cargo: Unknown
• Loss of Life: None

Vessel Type

The TELEGRAM was a wooden-hulled Propeller Steamer designed for passenger and package freight service, typical of the versatile steamers that operated in the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These vessels were vital for connecting remote communities, transporting people, goods, and mail across the challenging waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.

Built in 1885 by J. Storey of Collingwood, Ontario, TELEGRAM measured 108 feet in length with a beam of 21 feetand a depth of 9 feet. She featured a wooden Hull and was powered by a steam propeller, offering reliable service for both passenger travel and freight transport.

Though primarily associated with Collingwood, some records suggest her construction may have occurred in Waubaushene, Ontario. She was Rebuilt in 1889, likely to address structural wear and adapt to evolving service demands. This was a common practice for wooden steamers, extending their operational lifespan.

History

The TELEGRAM served routes between Owen Sound and Manitoulin Island, particularly to Providence Harbor, under the ownership of the Dominion Fish Company. This company relied heavily on steamers like TELEGRAM to transport fish, supplies, and passengers throughout Georgian Bay, which was dotted with small, isolated communities dependent on maritime links.

In September 1886, the vessel ran aground northeast of Collingwood. The recovery effort involved two steamers attempting to pull her free, ultimately succeeding after extensive effort. This early mishap foreshadowed her final fate, as grounding incidents were a recurring hazard in the rocky, poorly charted waters of Georgian Bay.

Final Disposition

On November 1, 1908, TELEGRAM encountered trouble while en route from Owen Sound to Providence Harbor. She ran aground at Rattlesnake Harbor, located near Fitzwilliam Island in Georgian Bay. The grounding caused her to spring a leak, and as the vessel began to list (tip over), an onboard fire broke out under unclear circumstances—possibly due to a ruptured fuel line or an issue with the engine.

The combination of water damage, the vessel’s unstable position, and the fire led to her complete destruction. Despite the catastrophic nature of the incident, no lives were lost, a testament to the quick response of the crew and the vessel’s proximity to land, which likely facilitated evacuation efforts.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database
• NOAA Great Lakes Wrecks
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD)

Conclusion

The story of TELEGRAM highlights the inherent risks faced by Great Lakes steamers navigating the treacherous waters of Georgian Bay. Despite modern innovations of the time, vessels like hers were vulnerable to the unpredictable weather, rocky shores, and mechanical failures that often led to disaster. TELEGRAM’s loss in 1908 marked the end of her 23-year service—a relatively long lifespan for a wooden Steamer of her era.

Her memory lives on in the records of maritime history, serving as a reminder of the critical role such vessels played in connecting the remote communities of the Great Lakes.