UPDATED WRECK REPORT: EMMA MUNSON

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: Eli Schriver (renamed Emma Munson, briefly Ella Munson)

•Type: Wooden Screw Tugboat

•Built: 1873

•Builder: George H. Notter, Buffalo, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 64.5 feet (19.7 meters)

•Beam: 12.1 feet (3.7 meters)

•Depth: 6.8 feet (2.1 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 32 tons

•Propulsion: Single Screw Propulsion system

•Home Port: Cobourg, Ontario

•Final Owner: McNaughton & Co., Montreal, Quebec

•Official Number: C 61169

•Wreck Location: Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River

•Depth of Wreck: Exact depth not provided; accessible to divers.

•Discovery: Found by Bob Sherwood

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Emma Munson, originally the Eli Schriver, was a wooden screw Tugboat designed for towing and utility work on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Built in Buffalo in 1873, the vessel was a vital asset in the maritime industries of the region. Over its operational years, the Emma Munson was involved in harbor operations, towing dredges, and general transport.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Service

Constructed in Buffalo, New York, in 1873, the vessel began its service under A. E. Munson of Cobourg, Ontario, primarily towing barges and assisting with harbor duties. The vessel underwent a Rebuild in 1886, maintaining its Gross Tonnage of 32 tons. Ownership of the Tug shifted several times, reflecting its utility and demand in the region.

Incident with Dredge Munson

In 1890, the Emma Munson was towing the Dredge Munson back to Belleville from Kingston when the Dredge sank near Collins Bay, Lake Ontario. The Tug survived the incident and returned to service, continuing its duties until its eventual demise.

Burning and Final Sinking

The Emma Munson met its final fate years later in Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, where it was deliberately burned and sank. The reasons for its burning remain speculative, possibly due to decommissioning practices or accidental fire.

DISCOVERY

The wreck of the Emma Munson was recently located by diver and maritime historian Bob Sherwood. His work highlights the vessel’s historical significance and the story of its rediscovery in the clear waters of the St. Lawrence River.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck lies in Alexandria Bay, in the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River. The site provides an accessible and historically rich dive location, offering a glimpse into late 19th and early 20th-century Tugboat construction and operations.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck is accessible to divers in the Alexandria Bay area. The cold freshwater environment of the St. Lawrence River has likely preserved much of the wooden structure, making it an intriguing site for underwater exploration.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck site. Divers should consult local guidelines and exercise caution, particularly regarding currents in the St. Lawrence River.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Documentation of the vessel’s history.

•Explore Here

2.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed records of the vessel and incidents.

•Swayze File

3.3D Model of the Wreck: Created by Thousand Islands Historical Society.

•View Model on Sketchfab

4.Dive Site Documentation by Bob Sherwood: Videos and photographs of the site.

•Sherwood Video on Flickr

ANALYSIS

The Emma Munson’s story encapsulates the evolving utility of tugboats during the late 19th century and their significance in the industrial and maritime networks of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its rediscovery by Bob Sherwood has reignited interest in this humble yet historically important vessel. The accessible wreck continues to contribute to the region’s rich underwater cultural heritage.

KEYWORDS

Emma Munson, Eli Schriver, Alexandria Bay Wreck, Tugboat, St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes Maritime History, Bob Sherwood.