Identification and Site Information

•Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug

•Location: Port Dalhousie, Lake Ontario

•Coordinates: Not specified

•Depth: Not specified (burned to the waterline)

Vessel Specifications

•Name: AUGUSTA

•Built: 1883 by Andrews Bros., Port Robinson, Ontario

•Length: 66 feet (20.1 meters)

•Beam: 16 feet (4.9 meters)

•Depth: 6 feet (1.8 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 57 tons

•Net Tonnage: 31 tons

History

The AUGUSTA was a wooden propeller steam Tug constructed in 1883. It was a modestly sized but essential vessel designed to support maritime operations on the Great Lakes, primarily serving towing and other logistical roles.

On December 7, 1909, the AUGUSTA met its end in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, when a fire broke out and completely destroyed the vessel. The fire occurred approximately 200 feet south of Muir’s Drydock, a location central to ship repair and maintenance in the area. The specific cause of the fire and whether there were any casualties remain undocumented.

The loss of the AUGUSTA was a significant blow to the local maritime community, as it highlighted the vulnerabilities of wooden steam tugs to fire. Such incidents were not uncommon, given the use of flammable materials in construction and the risks posed by steam engines.

Analysis

The AUGUSTA was representative of the workhorse steam tugs of its time, which played a critical role in the smooth operation of Great Lakes commerce. Its destruction by fire emphasizes the hazards inherent to early steam-powered wooden vessels, especially those in close proximity to industrial areas like Muir’s Drydock, where maintenance and fueling activities increased the risk of accidents.

Final Disposition

•Date of Loss: December 7, 1909

•Cause of Loss: Fire (details unknown)

•Final Condition: Burned to the waterline

The vessel’s remains are presumed to be minimal or nonexistent, given the complete destruction by fire and subsequent decades of natural and industrial activity in Port Dalhousie.

Resources & Links

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

•Great Lakes Ships Database

Tags

•Vessel Type: Steam Tug

•Location: Lake Ontario, Port Dalhousie

•Loss Type: Fire

•Historical Significance: Maritime History

•Construction: Wooden Hull

Conclusion

The story of the AUGUSTA is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by early 20th-century steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes. Though its history is relatively minor in the broader maritime narrative, it underscores the critical role of tugs like the AUGUSTA and the ever-present dangers they faced. The fire that claimed the vessel highlights the fragility of wooden steam-powered vessels and the risks inherent in their operation, especially in areas of high industrial activity like Port Dalhousie.