RELIEVER C122417

Other Names

• GERMANIC

Site Description

• Bulk Carrier
• 216ft 70m Lengths
• 20ffw 7 m Depths
• Methodist Point Bay, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
• N 44 51.136 W -80 00.86

History

The steamer GERMANIC, originally built in 1888 in West Bay City, Michigan, was a significant vessel that underwent several transformations during its lifetime. This steam-powered bulk freighter was initially owned by J.T. Hutchinson of Cleveland, part of a fleet that included three steamers and two schooners. In 1901, GERMANIC underwent a rebuild that reduced its gross tonnage from 1391 to 959 tons.

On November 4, 1904, while navigating the St. Clair River in foggy conditions with a cargo of coal, GERMANIC grounded at the head of Stag Island. Tragically, two days later, a fire erupted onboard, resulting from an oil lamp in the engine room. The fire consumed the vessel to the water’s edge.

However, GERMANIC’s legacy didn’t end there. In 1908, the burned-out hull was sold to Manley Chew of Midland, Ontario, for rebuilding. The vessel was lengthened to 226 feet and renamed RELIEVER, entering service as a steam barge. It was primarily used to transport lumber from Chew’s sawmill on Methodist Point to the company’s operations in Midland Harbor.

Misfortune struck once again on November 3, 1909, when RELIEVER caught fire while loading lumber at Awenda Park’s Third Beach, northwest of Penetanguishene. To prevent the fire from spreading to the mill and dock, RELIEVER was released and left to drift into the shallow waters of Methodist Point Bay, where it eventually burned to the waterline. Over time, many of its timbers were pushed onto the shore and used by locals.

During a Dominion Day picnic in 1921, a tragic incident occurred near the wreckage when Robert Leroux, aged 30, lost his life while exploring the remnants. Despite rescue efforts, he tragically drowned. Today, scattered remains of the RELIEVER, including timber and twisted metal, mark the final resting place of this once-mighty vessel on the bottom of Methodist Bay.

In World War I, the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding Company salvaged the metallic remains of RELIEVER, including the engine, boiler, shaft, propeller, and anchors. The vessel’s sunken hull and machinery became part of the war effort.

The story of GERMANIC and RELIEVER serves as a testament to the challenges and triumphs of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These vessels, though transformed and ultimately lost to the depths, played vital roles in transporting goods and resources across the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes.

The wreck is spread out over a large area. About 100′ from the large rock (it’s massive and has more or less square edges) east of the viewing platform is an excellent place to start and just dive from piece to piece heading north. There are some larger sections of the hull (about 10’x10′), many pieces of wood and metal, some bent and broken by the ice. Many Small Mouth Bass as well. Never went below 6′ at the wreck, but did chase a turtle out to 10′. It is a better shore dive than a boat dive. I beached the dinghy at the west end of a crowded beach 1, dressed like 007 on a mission, and surface swam to the large square rock. – Site Review by Dallis Favret Sep 2023

Sources and External Links

• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL)
• Collingwood Bulletin, Thursday, December 16, 1909
• Various newspaper articles and historical documents from the time period
  • Merchant Vessel List, U. S., 1904
  • Herman Runge List
  • Buffalo Evening News November, 1904
  • Dominion of Canada Vessel Register for 1909 [Sessional Papers 1910]
  • Steamboat Inspection Report, Marine & Fisheries, 1910.
  • Preliminary List of Canadian Steamships, Inland & Coastal, 1809 to 1930
  • Blue Book of American Vessels, 1902
• Wm. R. McNeil Notes – Personal interview with Mrs. Chew at Old Age Home at 331 Younge Street, Midland, Ont. 
• Facebook post by friends of the KEEWATIN
• David Swayze Shipwreck File