WAWINET

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #

Vessel Name: Wawinet
Vessel Type: Yacht
Year Built: 1904
Builder: Polson Iron Works, Toronto, Ontario
Final Resting Place: Beausoleil Island, Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada
Coordinates: Available upon request
Depth: Unknown
Length: Unknown
Gross Tonnage: 68 tons

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VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #

The Wawinet was a luxury yacht originally owned by Sir William Mackenzie, a prominent Canadian businessman and railway executive. Constructed in 1904 at Polson Iron Works in Toronto, the yacht was designed for personal leisure and transportation. It was later owned by Bertrand Corbeau of Penetanguishene, Ontario. Powered by a screw propulsion system, the Wawinet exemplified the elegance and engineering of early 20th-century yachts.

HISTORY: #

The Wawinet served as a symbol of luxury and status during its time, navigating the waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Owned by notable figures such as Sir William Mackenzie, the yacht was likely used for both leisure cruises and business-related transportation. In its later years, Bertrand Corbeau, an owner from Penetanguishene, Ontario, took possession of the vessel, continuing its use as a pleasure craft.

FINAL DISPOSITION: #

Tragedy struck on the evening of September 21, 1942, as the Wawinet was returning to Penetanguishene from Beausoleil Island, Georgian Bay. Bertrand Corbeau and a group of fellow employees from the Midland Foundry and Machine Company were aboard the yacht when it suddenly made a sharp turn. The maneuver caused the vessel to heel, submerging the lower windows, and within two minutes, the yacht was filled with water and sank. Out of the 42 passengers and crew members on board, only 17 survived. Unfortunately, Bertrand Corbeau was among those who perished in the accident.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #

Current Notices: There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the Wawinet wreck site. Divers and boaters should check with local authorities for up-to-date information on the site.

LOCATED BY & DATE: #

Discovery Date: The exact location and condition of the Wawinet wreck have not been publicly documented. The site remains a poignant reminder of the tragic accident.

RESOURCES & LINKS: #

Great Lakes Maritime History
National Museum of the Great Lakes
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
Local News Coverage on the Wawinet Tragedy (example link for live updates and news coverage)

PICTURES: #

KEYWORDS: #

Wawinet, Yacht, Georgian Bay, Beausoleil Island, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Maritime History, Bertrand Corbeau, Sir William Mackenzie.

CONCLUSION: #

The sinking of the Wawinet on September 21, 1942, stands as one of the most devastating maritime accidents in the history of Georgian Bay. This tragic event, which claimed the lives of 25 individuals, including Bertrand Corbeau, underscores the dangers that even well-constructed vessels faced on the Great Lakes. The Wawinet was more than just a yacht; it was a symbol of an era of luxury and leisure that met a sudden and tragic end. The memories of those lost in the accident continue to resonate in the maritime history of Georgian Bay.