Wreck Report: Side-Wheel Paddle Steamer Waubuno

Identification & Site Information

•Vessel Name: Waubuno

•Type: Side-Wheel Paddle Steamer

•Year Built: Date not specified

•Dimensions: Not documented

•Last Known Location: Georgian Bay, near Wreck Island (disputed wreck site)

•Depth: 15 feet (4.5 meters) near Wreck Island (disputed)

•Final Voyage: Departed Collingwood, Ontario, on November 21, 1879

•Cargo: Supplies for Parry Sound, including apples, flour, and general freight

•Loss of Life: 24 crew members and passengers

Vessel Type Description

The Waubuno was a side-wheel paddle Steamer, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, designed for passenger and freight transport. Side-wheelers were notable for their distinctive paddle wheels mounted on either side of the Hull, providing propulsion. The Waubuno served as a vital link between communities along Georgian Bay, delivering goods and passengers across the expansive and often treacherous waters.

History

1.Final Voyage:

•The Waubuno attempted to leave Collingwood on November 18, 1879, but fierce winds and heavy snow delayed its departure.

•On November 21, during a brief weather break, the Steamer set out for Parry Sound. It was last seen by the Christian Island lighthouse keeper, who reported the vessel appeared to be handling the conditions well.

•The Steamer Magnettawan, which departed Collingwood the same morning, arrived at Parry Sound without sighting the Waubuno.

2.Search and Discovery:

•Concerned by the Waubuno’s failure to arrive, the Tug Millie Grew was dispatched.

•The Tug returned with fragments of the wreck, including a damaged metallic lifeboat, part of the paddle box, furniture, life-preservers, and other items scattered along the shoreline. No bodies were ever recovered.

•In Spring 1880, an upturned Hull was found on Moberly Island, believed to be part of the Waubuno. Investigations revealed no evidence of rotten timbers or boiler explosions, contradicting earlier rumors.

3.Subsequent Discoveries:

•Over time, additional wreckage attributed to the Waubuno has been recovered, including the rudder, now displayed at Midland, Ontario’s Huronia Museum, and the anchor, recovered in 1959.

•A Hull in 15 feet (4.5 meters) of water near Wreck Island is believed by some to be the Waubuno, but this identification remains disputed.

Final Disposition

The Waubuno sank during a fierce Georgian Bay storm, likely overwhelmed by wind and waves. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, with no survivors. The exact cause of the sinking remains speculative, with theories including overloading, structural failure, or overwhelming weather conditions.

Current Condition & Accessibility

•Condition: The wreckage near Wreck Island lies in shallow water, with the remains believed to be scattered and deteriorated.

•Accessibility: The disputed site is diveable, though limited in structural features. Artifacts such as the rudder and anchor are preserved in museums for public viewing.

Significance

The loss of the Waubuno highlights the perils of Great Lakes navigation during the late 19th century, particularly during the harsh late-autumn season. The tragedy claimed 24 lives, left families grieving, and created an enduring maritime mystery. Today, the Waubuno serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by early vessels and crews in the unforgiving waters of Georgian Bay.

Resources & Links

•Huronia Museum, Midland, Ontario

•Georgian Bay Shipwrecks Archive

•Historical Accounts of Collingwood and Parry Sound Maritime History

Tags

•Waubuno

•Georgian Bay Shipwrecks

•Side-Wheel Paddle Steamer

•Wreck Island

•19th-Century Shipwrecks

•Great Lakes Maritime History

Conclusion

The tragic story of the Waubuno, a paddle Steamer lost to Georgian Bay in 1879, encapsulates the risks faced by Great Lakes vessels during the 19th century. Despite the recovery of artifacts and fragments of the wreck, questions about the exact cause of her sinking remain unanswered. The ship’s fate and the loss of her passengers and crew serve as a solemn chapter in the history of maritime navigation in the region. The Waubuno’s legacy lives on through museum exhibits, historical records, and continued exploration of the disputed wreck site.