Other Names #
- W.S. CARKIN
- P.B. MCNAUGHTON
History #
The W.S. CARKIN was a propeller steam tug built in 1874 in East Saginaw, Michigan. It had the following specifications: 70 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, 6 feet in depth, and weighed 29 gross tons and 14 net tons. Its official number was 81198.
On November 23, 1887, the W.S. CARKIN was stranded near Presque Isle, Michigan, in heavy weather. It was bound for Sault Ste. Marie and was en route to Saginaw when it struck a reef and wrecked. Fortunately, there was no loss of life, as the crew was rescued by the tug EFFIE L. The W.S. CARKIN was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident.
After the loss, the W.S. CARKIN was rebuilt and renamed the P.B. MCNAUGHTON in 1888. Its dimensions remained similar, with a length of 73.2 feet, a beam of 17.2 feet, and a depth of 9.2 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 63.87 and a net tonnage of 31.94.
Over the years, the tug changed ownership several times. In 1899, it was owned by P.B. MCNAUGHTON of Sorel, Quebec. It was later owned by John J. Harrison of Port Dalhousie, Ontario, with its home port in Sarnia, Ontario.
Unfortunately, on December 6, 1924, the P.B. MCNAUGHTON was wrecked on a reef in Port Colborne, Ontario, in Lake Erie. The tug was maneuvering the 6,600-ton steamer MIDLAND PRINCE, which veered out of control and crushed the P.B. MCNAUGHTON against the reef, resulting in its total loss.
The P.B. MCNAUGHTON had a significant rebuild in 1916, where it was measured under Canadian standards. Its dimensions changed to 66 feet in length, 17 feet in beam, and 8.66 feet in depth. Its gross tonnage was reported as 67 gross tons and 30 registered tons.
The vessel had a name change to JOSEPH H. in 1922 before meeting its final fate in 1924.
