Identification & Site Information

• Name: AGAWA
• Former Names: ROBERT P. DURHAM (1928), HERON BAY (1940), FEDERAL HUSKY (1963)
• Official Number: C 111807
• Type at Loss: Steel-hulled, propeller-driven bulk freighter
• Date Built and Launched: 1902
• Builder: Collingwood Shipyards, Collingwood, Ontario (originally built as a Barge)
• Measurements: Length: 379 ft (115.52 m) Beam: 46 ft (14.02 m) Depth: 26 ft (7.92 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 3,759 tons
• Net Tonnage: 2,468 tons
• Date Lost: December 7, 1927
• Place of Loss: Advance Reef, near Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron

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Vessel Type

Originally built as a Barge, later converted to a steel-hulled, propeller-driven bulk freighter in 1906.

Description

The AGAWA began her life as a Barge in 1902, constructed at the Collingwood Shipyards in Ontario. Measuring 379 feet in length with a beam of 46 feet and a depth of 26 feet, she was a large vessel even by early 20th-century standards. In 1906, the vessel underwent a significant Conversion to a self-propelled Steamer, making her more versatile for the booming Great Lakes bulk freight industry. The AGAWA was primarily used to transport large quantities of raw materials, including grain, coal, and iron ore, critical to the industrial heartland of North America.

History

The AGAWA served under the ownership of the Algoma Central Steamship Company, based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Her primary role was as a bulk freighter, moving vast quantities of cargo across the Great Lakes, a key component of the region’s industrial supply chain. On December 7, 1927, while carrying 200,000 bushels of wheat, the AGAWA encountered a severe blizzard while navigating near Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron. Battling the harsh conditions, she stranded on Advance Reef.

Despite the violent weather, the crew remained aboard for four days until they were safely rescued by the American Tug GENERAL on December 11. The vessel was declared a Total Loss by her underwriters due to the extensive damage sustained in the grounding. However, the AGAWA was salvaged by the Reid Wrecking Company and underwent extensive repairs at Collingwood, returning to service in 1928 under the new name ROBERT P. DURHAM.

The vessel underwent several more transformations throughout her career. In 1940, she was renamed HERON BAY and later became FEDERAL HUSKY in 1963 after being converted back to a Barge. She continued in this role until her final decommissioning and scrapping in Spain in 1966, marking the end of a 64-year career on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

Stranded on Advance Reef in 1927; salvaged and repaired, returned to service under new names. Ultimately scrapped in Spain in 1966.

Located By & Date Found

Nil (The vessel was salvaged shortly after the 1927 incident, and no wreck remains at the site).

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil (No current navigational obstructions related to the AGAWA‘s 1927 stranding at Advance Reef).

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database – Bowling Green State University
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks

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Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: AGAWA freighter, Advance Reef shipwreck, Lake Huron freighter accident, Great Lakes wheat transport, ROBERT P. DURHAM, HERON BAY, FEDERAL HUSKY
• Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Salvaged Great Lakes Vessels, Steel-Hulled Freighters, Converted Barges, Grain Freighters
• Glossary Terms:
• Advance Reef: A hazardous reef near Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron, known for ship strandings.
• Bulk Freighter: A large cargo ship designed for transporting bulk goods such as grain, coal, and ore across the Great Lakes.
• Salvage: The act of recovering a ship and its cargo after it has been declared a Total Loss.
• Barge: A flat-bottomed vessel primarily used for transporting goods, often converted for other uses in maritime commerce.

Conclusion

The AGAWA’s story is one of resilience and transformation, emblematic of many vessels that plied the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. Though declared a Total Loss after stranding on Advance Reef in 1927, her successful salvage and return to service under multiple names reflect the value of these industrial workhorses. The vessel’s long career, spanning over six decades, underscores the evolving nature of Great Lakes shipping, from steam propulsion to Barge conversions, before her final scrapping in 1966.