Identification & Site Information

• Name: Logging Tug (unofficial name – BiGc-3)
• Other Names: None officially recorded
• Vessel Type: Wooden Steam Logging Tug
• Date Built: Exact date unknown, but presumed late 19th or early 20th century based on construction techniques and historical context
• Date Lost: Unknown; evidence points to deliberate scuttling during the operational period of the Gillies Brothers Lumbering Firm
• Length: 23.5 metres (77 feet)
• Beam: 5.5 metres (18 feet)
• Final Location: Lac des Chats, Ottawa River, Braeside, Ontario
• Coordinates: Approx. 45°28’51.1”N 76°29’06.6”W — directly north of the docks at Braeside Park
• Depth: Maximum 9.1 metres (30 feet)

Vessel Type Description

The wreck is a wooden steam logging Tug, a workhorse of the Ottawa River’s booming logging industry in the 1800s and early 1900s. These tugs were critical to moving timber booms downriver, towing them from sorting yards to mills or shipping points. They were small, rugged, and often built locally to suit the unique conditions of the Ottawa Valley.

Historical Background

The site lies adjacent to the former Gillies Brothers Lumber Mill (later part of Tembec), which operated from 1873 to 1963. Gillies Brothers were key players in Ottawa Valley logging, operating sawmills, timber booms, and associated work vessels.

This particular Tug was long known to local divers, but its identity remains unconfirmed. Although it sits near the Gillies property, research suggests it may not have been owned directly by Gillies Brothers, raising the possibility it belonged to another lumber outfit operating in the region.

Archaeological Work (1999)

In 1999, Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS) Ottawa chose the site for archaeological documentation under Licence No. 1999-034. This work was conducted alongside NAS Level 1 and Level 2 training courses, emphasizing:

• Measured surveys of the wreck and nearby submerged rock cribs
• Photographic documentation
• Analysis of construction features and mechanical equipment

The site’s dark tea-coloured water (a product of organic tannins from forest runoff) made photography and surveying challenging. Despite this, the project produced valuable documentation and a detailed site map.

Final Disposition

• •Cause of Loss: Likely deliberate scuttling after the vessel became obsolete.
• •Condition:
  • The Hull is mostly intact, lying upright in a north-south orientation.
  • The bow faces south, resting in close contact with a submerged rock crib.
  • The Stern is crushed, possibly due to intentional scuttling using rocks and bricks.
• •There are clear signs of fire damage, indicating the Tug was burned prior to sinking, a common practice for disposal.

Site Description

This is a shallow, shore-accessible dive, located just 133 metres (437 feet) north of the Braeside Park docks, accessible via a permanent underwater guideline installed by SOS Ottawa.

Key site features include:

• Boiler, positioned forward of the engine, partially buried in silt.
• Exposed engine, fully visible amidships.
• Smokestack, lying off the port side about 5 metres from the boiler.
• Unidentified globe-shaped metal components near the engine.
• Numerous steel braces, fittings, and mechanical debris scattered around the site.
• The surrounding area contains submerged rock cribs, likely used to anchor log booms during the site’s working life.

Experience Rating

✅ Intermediate

Maximum depth is only 9.1 metres (30 feet), but extremely low Visibility (0.3 to 4 metres / 1 to 12 feet) requires solid navigation and buddy contact skills.

The combination of dark tea-stained water, silt bottom, and low light penetration makes it more challenging than typical shallow wreck dives.

Directions to Site

• From Braeside, Ontario, turn north off River Road onto Usborne Street and follow to Braeside Park.
• Park at the boat ramp and picnic area (small fee may apply).
• From the beach, swim north toward the visible surface crib (marked with a reflective hazard sign).
• Follow the underwater line from the crib’s southeast corner directly to the wreck (133 metres or 437 feet).

NOTMARs & Advisories

Boaters in the area frequently ignore dive flags, so divers must display large, highly visible flags and remain alert.

Even with surface signs and floating flags during the 1999 survey, at least one boat drove directly through the dive zone, indicating low local awareness of dive safety protocols.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Depth: 9.1 metres (30 feet)
• Visibility: Typically poor (0.3 to 4 metres / 1 to 12 feet), worsens after rain or heavy boat traffic
• Bottom: Fine silt mixed with Bark chips from historical logging operations
• Temperature: Cool year-round, typically below 15°C (59°F)
• Recommended Gear: 7mm wetsuit (minimum), dive light, and compass

Resources & Links

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks (Primary Source – NLJul02.pdf)
• Library and Archives Canada
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Braeside Park (Township of McNab/Braeside)

Conclusion

The Logging Tug Wreck at Red Pine Bay (BiGc-3) stands as an important cultural artifact from the golden age of Ottawa Valley lumbering. Though her identity remains uncertain, the site itself offers a hands-on connection to the region’s logging heritage, making it a unique training ground for underwater archaeology enthusiasts and a rewarding challenge for history-minded divers.

Keywords & Categories Red Pine Bay, Braeside Ontario, Lac des Chats, Ottawa River, Logging Tug, Gillies Brothers, Tembec, Industrial Archaeology, Historical Dive Site, SOS Ottawa, Shore Dive, Wooden Tug