Shipwreck Report: Tug Wauseda II (1924–1948)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Wauseda II
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: C158472
• Vessel Type: Gasoline-powered steel Tug (fishing support vessel)
• Built: 1924, Midland, Ontario
• Home Port: Owen Sound, Ontario
• Specifications Length: 55 feet (16.8 metres) Beam: 11 feet (3.4 metres)Depth: 6 feet (1.8 metres)
• Tonnage: 17 tons

Operational History

The Wauseda II was a small steel-hulled gas-powered Tug, built in Midland, Ontario, in 1924. She was used primarily as a fishing Tug, assisting in commercial fishing operations in the Georgian Bay region of Lake Huron.

Purpose:  Supported local fishery operations, helping transport catches, nets, and supplies. Served as a utility Tug, possibly towing small fish carriers or assisting with dock work.

Trade Area: Georgian Bay and the North Channel, operating out of Owen Sound, Ontario, Likely worked near Manitoulin Island, the Bruce Peninsula, and Fitzwilliam Island.

Final Voyage and Loss

• Date of Loss: October 21, 1948
• Location: Fitzwilliam Island, near the mouth of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• Cause: Fire
• Cargo at Loss: None
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Incident Details While moored at a dock on Fitzwilliam Island, the Wauseda II caught fire and was destroyed. The exact cause of the fire is uncertain, but possible explanations include:Fuel ignition from engine or onboard heating. Electrical malfunction in the aging vessel. Accidental fire from dock operations.
• The vessel was completely burned, leaving no salvageable remains.
• Casualty information is unclear, but given the circumstances, there may have been no fatalities.

Legacy and Significance

Part of Ontario’s Great Lakes Fishing Industry  The Wauseda II was one of many small fishing tugs that worked Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, supporting the commercial fishing trade.  She represents an era where small steel-hulled fishing tugs were common before modern industrialized fishing fleetstook over.

Risk of Fire in Early Gas-Powered Vessels The fire risk aboard gasoline-powered vessels was a serious concern in the early 20th century. Many vessels like the Wauseda II lacked modern fire suppression systems, making engine-room fires deadly and often total losses.

Connection to Fitzwilliam Island Fitzwilliam Island, located at the entrance to Georgian Bay, was an area known for fishing operations and remote docks. The loss of the Wauseda II highlights the dangers of working in isolated locations, where emergency response was limited.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Dock at Fitzwilliam Island, near the mouth of Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.
• Current Condition: Since the Wauseda II burned completely, no substantial wreckage is expected. Any remains would be scattered debris, such as engine parts, metal fittings, or burnt Hull fragments.
• Potential for Discovery: The site may still contain remnants, but given the wooden dock environment, most evidence would have decayed or been removed.No known dive surveys have been conducted at the location.

Further Research and Resources

• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston https://www.marmuseum.ca Contains records on small fishing tugs and Lake Huron shipwrecks.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Provides information on commercial fishing vessels and fires.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society Works to document and preserve small vessel shipwreck sites across the Great Lakes.
• Ontario Marine Heritage Committee May have historical documents or accounts of the Wauseda II’s loss.

Conclusion

The Wauseda II (1924–1948) was a small steel fishing Tug that served the Georgian Bay fishing industry before being destroyed by fire at Fitzwilliam Island in 1948. While no known wreckage remains, her loss reflects the fire hazards of early gasoline-powered boats and the challenges of Great Lakes commercial fishing.