The tug FRED A. LEE was built in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1896. It was owned by D.N. Runnels, Harrison W. Mains, and George Lee. The launch of the tug took place on Saturday afternoon and was witnessed by several hundred people. It was considered one of the finest vessels ever built at that port.
The FRED A. LEE had the following dimensions: 70.0 feet in length, 16.0 feet in width, and 9.0 feet in height. It had a gross tonnage of 60.12 tons and a net tonnage of 40.89 tons.
In 1915, the tug underwent some changes and was measured using Canadian standards, resulting in new dimensions of 72.0 feet in length, 15.42 feet in width, and 10.0 feet in height. It then had a gross tonnage of 65 tons.
In 1936, the tug tragically foundered in Lake Huron, thirteen miles northeast of Point aux Barques, Michigan. The entire crew of five on board lost their lives. The vessel was en route from Sarnia, Ontario, to the Soo at the time of the accident.
The FRED A. LEE was subsequently renamed to CANADA after the rebuild in 1915. Its official number changed to 134379.
