Shipwreck Report: C.M. Bowman

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: C.M. Bowman

•Type: Tugboat (or Towboat)

•Year Built: 1897

•Builder: Bowman & Strong

•Master Carpenter: John Strong

•Construction: Wood

•Home Port: Southampton, Ontario

•Original Owner: C.M. Bowman et al.

•Dimensions:

•Length: 92 feet (28 meters)

•Beam: 18.5 feet (5.6 meters)

•Depth: 9 feet (2.7 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross: 88.11 tons

•Net: 59.92 tons

•Propulsion: Screw Propulsion system

•Engine Type: Steeple compound (two cylinders)

•Boiler: Single boiler

•Propeller: Single screw

HISTORY

The C.M. Bowman was constructed in 1897 at either Port Elgin or Saugeen, Ontario, by the shipbuilding firm Bowman & Strong. The vessel was designed as a wooden Tugboat and equipped with a steeple compound engine. The Tugboat served primarily as a towing vessel, reflecting the importance of tugboats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in facilitating maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.

Operational Service

The vessel’s ownership and operation were based out of Southampton, Ontario. It was involved in towing operations across Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, supporting industries reliant on Great Lakes transport, including logging, shipping, and general cargo movement.

FINAL INCIDENT

•Date: December 13, 1915

•Location: Vale’s Point, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

Circumstances

On December 13, 1915, the C.M. Bowman encountered severe weather conditions. A storm caused the vessel to be blown ashore at Vale’s Point, Georgian Bay. While the crew managed the vessel’s safety during the initial stranding, the situation worsened when the vessel later caught fire, completely destroying it. Another vessel, the Maud L., was involved in the incident, though the specifics of its involvement remain unclear.

Aftermath

The C.M. Bowman was declared a Total Loss. The destruction by fire, combined with the stranding, marked the end of the vessel’s service life. The remains of the Tugboat have not been actively recovered or preserved, leaving its exact resting place undocumented.

SIGNIFICANCE

The loss of the C.M. Bowman highlights the perilous conditions faced by tugboats operating on the Great Lakes. Weather-related incidents were common, especially for wooden vessels navigating in the harsh winter months. Tugboats like the C.M. Bowman played a crucial role in supporting the economic activities of Great Lakes industries, and their losses impacted local economies and maritime operations.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Wreck Condition: The vessel was completely destroyed by fire, leaving no significant structural remains.

•Accessibility: The site at Vale’s Point is not marked as a dive site or navigational hazard. No known artifacts or remnants have been documented at the site.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Historical records of Great Lakes vessels.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed incident records and ship descriptions.

•Great Lakes Ships: Comprehensive database of ships operating on the Great Lakes.

•Saugeen Shores Archives: Local historical accounts of shipbuilding and maritime activities in the region.

CONCLUSION

The C.M. Bowman represents an era when wooden tugboats powered by steam engines were integral to the Great Lakes’ maritime industry. Its loss in 1915 underscores the dangers of early 20th-century lake navigation, particularly during harsh weather. Although the wreck itself has faded into history, the vessel’s story contributes to the broader narrative of Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Tags: Tugboat, C.M. Bowman, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Vale’s Point, Great Lakes shipwrecks, maritime history, Bowman & Strong, wooden vessels