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

[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-b-conmee-superior-us-80908″ title=”References & 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.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Original Name: Superior
  • Later Name: A.B. Conmee (after 1917)
  • Built: 11 May 1881 by Dry Dock & Shipbuilding, Owen Sound, ON; Master Carpenter: John Simpson
  • Official Number: 80908
  • Type: Wooden-hulled, single-deck screw tug with round stern, carvel-built
  • Final Disposition: Dismantled and scuttled at Thunder Bay, ON (Lake Superior), 20 May 1937

Vessel Characteristics

  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Decks: 1
  • Dimensions (Original): 92′ × 18.3′ × 10′ (~28 m × 5.6 m × 3.0 m)
  • Tonnage: 88.51 GT / 70.81 NT
  • Propulsion (1882): Single screw driven by 15″ & 27″ × 24″ engine (175 hp), equipped with compressor engine by Copp Brothers, Hamilton, ON

Service & Ownership Timeline

  • 8 Apr 1882: Enrolled at Owen Sound under ownership of R. Power of Barrie, ON
  • 1895: Sold to J. Waldie, Toronto, ON
  • 1901: Owned by J. Granley, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
  • 1917: Acquired by Canadian Towing & Wrecking Co., Port Arthur; rebuilt at Port Arthur (dimensions updated to 81′ × 20′), tonnage increased to 133 GT / 62 NT, and renamed A.B. Conmee (Registry C138006)
  • 1921: Sold to Russell Timber Co., Port Arthur
  • 1935: Purchased by A.E. Fader, Fort William, ON
  • 20 May 1937: Dismantled and deliberately scuttled in Thunder Bay waters to serve as bottom infrastructure

Final Disposition & Site Context

  • The vessel was deconstructed before scuttling—likely only lower hull frames and structural remnants remain
  • Deliberate placement in Thunder Bay aligns with other derelict-tug disposal practices
  • Archaeological assessments of the Thunder Bay ship graveyard include A.B. Conmee as “Confirmed Derelict No. 34, Tug (1881, 81′ × 20′, 71 tonnes)” (Academia, Northern Wilds Magazine)

Site Status & Archaeological Significance

  • Located within the federally documented Thunder Bay ship graveyard
  • Sonar and ROV inspections have confirmed presence among other derelicts (Academia)
  • Likely remains lie in shallow waters; structural components serve as historical underwater artifacts
  • No specific Notices to Mariners as these graveyard wrecks are considered non-navigational obstructions

Significance & Research Opportunities

  • Illustrates late-19th to early-20th-century Ontario-built steam tugs with mid-life rebuilds and extended operational use
  • Its inclusion in the Thunder Bay graveyard offers value for underwater cultural heritage, reflecting industrial reuse
  • Archival sources to consult: Port Arthur shipping registries, Canadian Towing & Wrecking Co. records, Thunder Bay harbor engineering logs (1935–37), possible ROV imagery from Parks Canada research

Keywords

wooden tug, Lake Superior, Thunder Bay ship graveyard, Port Arthur tug, Ontario-built, A.B. Conmee, dismantled 1937, ROV-confirmed wreck

a-b-conmee-superior-us-80908 1937-05-11 11:22:00