IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: The Iroquois was a wooden passenger steamer constructed in 1902 using the bottom of another vessel, the John J. Long. Designed to transport passengers, the Iroquois featured a single screw propulsion system, making it a vital link for travel and transport in the Georgian Bay area. With two decks, the vessel was equipped to handle a considerable number of passengers, embodying the robust design typical of early 20th-century steamers.
HISTORY: Built in Wiarton, Ontario, the Iroquois served the communities around Georgian Bay, providing essential transport services. The vessel’s construction was notable for its reuse of the hull of the John J. Long, a common practice at the time to extend the life of valuable materials. The Iroquois measured over 100 feet in length and was managed by T.C. Simms of Little Current, Ontario.
The Iroquois operated for six years before meeting its tragic end in 1908. During its service, the vessel would have been a familiar sight on the waters of Georgian Bay, contributing to the regional economy by ferrying passengers and possibly light cargo between ports.
FINAL DISPOSITION: On October 24, 1908, the Iroquois struck a rock in McBean Channel, an area known for its navigational hazards. Following the collision, the vessel caught fire, leading to its eventual sinking. Despite the dramatic circumstances of its loss, there were no casualties reported, which suggests that the crew and any passengers were able to evacuate safely. The Iroquois’s wreckage settled in the waters of Georgian Bay, marking the end of its brief service.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Iroquois. Divers exploring the McBean Channel should exercise caution due to the potential hazards posed by submerged wreckage and the rocky terrain that contributed to the Iroquois’s demise.
LOCATED BY & DATE: The exact location of the Iroquois wreck has not been provided, but it lies in the McBean Channel of Georgian Bay. The wreck site is accessible to divers, offering an opportunity to explore a piece of early 20th-century maritime history in the Great Lakes.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: Details regarding the current condition of the Iroquois wreck are limited. However, given the nature of its sinking—striking a rock and subsequent fire—it is likely that the wreckage is scattered and partially buried in the lakebed. The site is of interest to divers with experience navigating deeper and potentially hazardous underwater environments.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Bowling Green State University: Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
KEYWORDS: Iroquois, Passenger Steamer, McBean Channel, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Shipwreck, Great Lakes, Maritime History, T.C. Simms, Wiarton, Gregory Fitchner
CONCLUSION: The Iroquois serves as a historical reminder of the perils faced by early 20th-century steamers on the Great Lakes. Despite its relatively short service life, the vessel’s story is marked by its dramatic end in McBean Channel. The Iroquois’s wreck, though lost beneath the waters of Georgian Bay, continues to intrigue historians and divers alike, offering insights into the maritime heritage of Ontario’s coastal communities.
