Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Advance (Sir S.L. Tilley)
- Type: Composite Steam Barge / Package Freighter / Bulk Carrier
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: L. Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ontario
- Dimensions: 175 ft (53.34 m) × ~35 ft beam × ~15 ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: 1,031 grt / 568 nrt
- Location: Near Alexandria Bay, NY, on Manitoulin Island
- Official Number: C 28632
- Original Owners: Neelon/Norris, Mackay, Carruthers, Montreal Transportation Co., Canada Steamship Lines, Reid Wrecking
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Composite steam vessel (iron frame, wood hull), used as package freighter and later bulk carrier.
Description
Advance – Originally built as a package freighter with iron framing for extended durability, Sir S.L. Tilley was later extensively rebuilt. Her conversion included lengthening, steel arch reinforcement, and structural modifications to serve as a dedicated bulk freighter—a testament to adaptability amid evolving trade demands. She possessed a rounded stern and a mid-level cargo hatch suited for grain or heavy bulk cargoes.
History
1884–96 (Sir S.L. Tilley): Owned by Sylvester Neelon & James Norris (Merchant’s Lake & River Line), serving Duluth and other Great Lakes ports.
1889: Struck Detroit River lighthouse; entailed legal and repair fees.
1897–99: Lengthened by 60 ft by Polson Iron Works, Toronto.
- 26 August 1899: Caught fire ~7 mi off Fairport, Ohio; grounded and abandoned.
- Rebuilt 1899–1900 in Toronto; renamed Advance.
1903: Coal cargo fire at Sault Ste. Marie destroyed upper decks; hull saved and later sold to Montreal Transportation Co.
1904 Rebuild: Reconfigured as bulk carrier at Kingston, Ontario; cut down amidships, reinforced with steel structures. Ownership by Montreal Transportation Co.
Subsequent events:
- 1905 wage dispute in Welland Canal.
- 1909 broke rudder and grounded on Galops Rapids (cargo: pig iron).
- 1916 involved in three-way collision in Lachine Canal.
- Repairs and operational service through 1919.
1921–23 transfers: Ownership transferred to Canada Steamship Lines; sold to Reid Wrecking (Sarnia) in 1923.
1927 Grounding & Loss: Stranded and wrecked near Alexandria Bay, NY on 5 December 1927; confirmed as total loss.
Significant Incidents
- 1889: Collision with Detroit River lighthouse.
- 1899: Caught fire off Fairport, Ohio.
- 1903: Coal cargo fire at Sault Ste. Marie.
- 1909: Grounded on Galops Rapids.
- 1916: Involved in a three-way collision in Lachine Canal.
- 1927: Grounded and wrecked near Alexandria Bay, NY.
Final Disposition
After a long career marked by ownership shifts and repeated repairs, Advance was stranded in a late-season storm and declared a constructive total loss in December 1927. The wreck was left in place and later broken up on-site in 1935. No known remains have been documented via diving or sonar surveys.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is currently uncharted, with no known remains documented. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.
Resources & Links
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Advance serves as a significant reminder of the evolution of maritime trade and shipbuilding in the Great Lakes region. As divers explore this area, they are urged to practice ethical diving and contribute positively to the underwater environment.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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