Shotline Diving

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A.B. Conmee (Superior) US 80908

Explore the remains of the A.B. Conmee, a wooden tug scuttled in Thunder Bay, showcasing late-19th-century maritime engineering.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: A.B. Conmee
  • Type: Wooden-hulled, single-deck screw tug
  • Year Built: 1881
  • Builder: Dry Dock & Shipbuilding, Owen Sound, ON
  • Dimensions: 92 ft (28 m) X 18.3 ft (5.6 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft (3.0 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 88.51 GT / 70.81 NT
  • Location: Thunder Bay, ON
  • Official Number: 80908
  • Original Owners: R. Power, J. Waldie, J. Granley, Canadian Towing & Wrecking Co., Russell Timber Co., A.E. Fader
  • Number of Masts: 1

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The A.B. Conmee is classified as a wooden-hulled, single-deck screw tug with a round stern, built using carvel construction techniques.

Description

Originally named Superior, the vessel was built on May 11, 1881, and later renamed A.B. Conmee after being acquired by the Canadian Towing & Wrecking Co. in 1917. The tug was rebuilt and its dimensions were updated to 81 ft by 20 ft, with a tonnage increase to 133 GT / 62 NT.

History

The A.B. Conmee had a varied ownership history, starting with R. Power of Barrie, ON, in 1882. It was sold multiple times, including to J. Waldie in 1895 and J. Granley in 1901. After its acquisition by Canadian Towing & Wrecking Co. in 1917, it underwent significant modifications. The tug was eventually sold to Russell Timber Co. in 1921 and later purchased by A.E. Fader in 1935.

Significant Incidents

  • 8 Apr 1882: Enrolled at Owen Sound under ownership of R. Power of Barrie, ON.
  • 1917: Acquired by Canadian Towing & Wrecking Co., rebuilt, and renamed A.B. Conmee.
  • 20 May 1937: Dismantled and scuttled in Thunder Bay waters to serve as bottom infrastructure.

Final Disposition

The vessel was dismantled before being scuttled, likely leaving only lower hull frames and structural remnants. Its deliberate placement in Thunder Bay aligns with practices for disposing of derelict tugs.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The A.B. Conmee is located within the federally documented Thunder Bay ship graveyard. Sonar and ROV inspections have confirmed its presence among other derelict vessels. The remains likely lie in shallow waters, serving as historical underwater artifacts.

Resources & Links

The A.B. Conmee represents an important piece of maritime history, illustrating the evolution of tugboats in Ontario and their role in industrial operations. Its inclusion in the Thunder Bay graveyard provides opportunities for research and cultural heritage preservation.