Site Description
- Tug Fishing
- 75ffw 22m
- 70ft Length
- Port Dover, Lake Erie
- N 42 42.140 W 080 02.068
The Wilma, a tugboat, was launched in 1911 in Collingwood, Ontario. It had dimensions of 68 feet in length and 16 feet in width. Initially owned by JA MacDonald and the Wilma Fish Co. Ltd, the vessel underwent a rebuild in 1917, increasing its size to 75 feet in length, 16 feet in width, and 8 feet in depth. In 1934, ownership of the Wilma was transferred to MacGraw MacDonald and the Wilma Fish Co. Ltd.
Tragically, on April 14, 1936, the Wilma met its demise when it sank in Lake Erie. The sinking was caused by ice that punched out a plank near the boiler on the starboard side of the vessel. The Wilma had a wooden hull and is typically marked by a buoy to assist with its location. Resting upright in 75 feet of water, the wreck of the Wilma has become a popular dive site for enthusiasts departing from Port Dover.
The wreck of the Wilma holds several notable features for divers to explore. These include the stack, which lies along the port side of the vessel, the boiler, and the forward hatch with a ladder leading below deck. However, caution must be exercised due to the presence of fishing nets around the wreck. Despite its tragic end, the Wilma now serves as a fascinating underwater attraction, offering divers the opportunity to delve into its history and observe the remnants of this once-functional tugboat.
