Identification & Site Information

• Name, Former Names: W. A. C. No. 5; renamed Auburnville.

• Type: Tugboat.

• Year Built: 1944.

• Builder: Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.

• Construction: Wooden Hull.

• Dimensions:

• Length: 37 feet 5 inches (11.4 m).

• Beam: 10 feet 5 inches (3.2 m).

• Depth: 4 feet 8 inches (1.4 m).

• Tonnage:

• Gross Tonnage: 11 tons.

• Net Tonnage: 7 tons.

• Engine Power: 93 horsepower.

• Original Registration: Halifax, Nova Scotia.

• Final Ownership: National Gypsum (Canada) Ltd., Cheticamp, Nova Scotia.

• Final Voyage: May 31, 1962.

• Final Location of Wreck: Off 30 Mile Point, Lake Ontario, west of Rochester, New York.

• Coordinates of Sinking: Approximately 43° 32’ N latitude, 78° 33.8’ W longitude.

• Final Disposition: Sank on May 31, 1962; remains missing.

Vessel Type

A wartime Tugboat, the W. A. C. No. 5 was designed for coastal and harbor maneuvering during World War II. Later, in peacetime, it was repurposed for commercial Tug operations in the gypsum industry.

Description

Built as part of Canada’s wartime vessel construction under the Naval Service Headquarters between 1943 and 1945, the W. A. C. No. 5 had a wooden Hull and was powered by a modest but effective 93-horsepower engine. Despite its small size, it was instrumental during its military service and later found use in commercial operations, supporting maritime commerce.

History

The Tugboat was launched in 1944 as a support vessel during World War II. Its initial service included towing and maneuvering in Canadian coastal and harbor waters. In 1947, the vessel was decommissioned from military use and sold to Marine Industries Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec, alongside two other tugs. Renamed Auburnville, it transitioned to a commercial role and was re-registered in Halifax.

Operated by National Gypsum (Canada) Ltd., the Auburnville supported the company’s operations in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, primarily transporting and handling gypsum-related materials.

The Final Voyage and Sinking

On May 31, 1962, Auburnville sank off 30 Mile Point in Lake Ontario under unclear circumstances. Positioned west of Rochester, New York, the vessel disappeared without a clear explanation or recovery. Efforts to locate and salvage the wreck have proven unsuccessful, and the Auburnville remains missing, adding to the Great Lakes’ legacy of maritime mysteries.

Legacy

The Auburnville’s story highlights the lifecycle of many Great Lakes vessels transitioning from wartime service to commercial roles. Its mysterious sinking contributes to the lore of Lake Ontario’s shipwreck history and serves as a testament to the challenges faced by mariners navigating the unpredictable Great Lakes waters.

Located By & Date Found

• Status: The wreck has not been located to date.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships

• Naval Service Headquarters Archives for Canadian wartime vessels.

Conclusion

The W. A. C. No. 5 (Auburnville) serves as a poignant example of a vessel that served Canada in both war and peace, only to end its journey shrouded in mystery. Its fate remains a question mark in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history, reminding us of the hazards and enigmas tied to these inland seas.