Steam Tug Truant (1889–1894)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Truant
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: C92739
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden propeller steam Tug (originally built as a Ferry)
• Builder: J. Duval, Toronto, Ontario
• Year Built & Launched: 1889
• Specifications: Length: 73 ft (22.3 m)  Beam: 14 ft (4.3 m)  Depth: 4 ft (1.2 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 28 GT
• Net Tonnage: 20 NT
• Date Lost: April 30, 1894
• Location of Loss: Burnt Island, near Killarney, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• Cause of Loss: Fire (started under the ash pan)
• Loss of Life: Unknown (no confirmed records of casualties)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None

Vessel Description & Service History

The Truant was a small wooden propeller-driven steam vessel, originally built as a Ferry in Toronto in 1889. She was later converted into a Tugboat, operating in Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, likely assisting in local transport, towing, and small cargo operations. Registered out of Toronto, Ontario, she was likely used for short-haul transportation between islands and coastal communities. The vessel’s modest size and shallow Draft made her ideal for maneuvering in smaller ports and confined waterways.

Final Voyage & Loss

On April 30, 1894, while in Burnt Island near Killarney, Georgian Bay, the Truant was destroyed by fire.  The fire started beneath the ash pan, a common cause of fire on wooden steamers, as sparks and embers could easily ignite wooden structures.  No records confirm whether the crew was able to escape, but casualties remain unknown.  The fire consumed the vessel completely, leaving her a Total Loss.

Final Disposition & Salvage

• Declared a Total Loss due to fire.
• No known salvage or wreckage recovery.
• No confirmed remains exist today.
• No confirmed modern wreck site identified.
• Any possible remains would be scattered near Burnt Island, Killarney, Georgian Bay.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Fire was a leading cause of ship losses in the 19th century, particularly for wooden steam vessels where embers and heat sources were poorly contained.  Burnt Island and Killarney were active maritime areas, frequented by ferries, tugs, and cargo steamers supporting timber and fishing industries. The transition from Ferry to Tugboat suggests that Truant may have been repurposed for industrial use before her destruction.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Truant was a small but versatile steam vessel, beginning as a Toronto Ferry before being converted into a Tugboat. Her destruction by fire in 1894 near Killarney, Georgian Bay, highlights the fire hazards of early steamers. Though her remains have never been confirmed, she is one of many wooden steam tugs lost in the era before steel-hulled vessels became dominant.