Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Agnes Smith
- Type: Wooden cargo vessel
- Year Built: 1904
- Builder: Smith and Henderson
- Dimensions: Length: 64 ft (19.5 m); Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth of hold:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 12 m / 40 ft
- Location: East of Hotham Island, McBean Channel, North Channel, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: CAN116244
- Original Owners: Larue Smith
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden cargo vessel
Description
The Agnes Smith was a wooden cargo vessel measuring 64 feet in length and 15 feet in beam. Built in 1904 by Smith and Henderson in Little Current, Ontario, the vessel was registered under the number CAN116244 and owned by Larue Smith.
History
In July 1912, while being towed to Sault Ste. Marie for repairs after salvage operations, the Agnes Smith ran aground on a shoal just east of Hotham Island and north of Fox Island in the McBean Channel of Lake Huron’s North Channel. The grounding led to a fire that burned the vessel down to the waterline.
Significant Incidents
- The Agnes Smith ran aground on a shoal in July 1912.
- A fire destroyed the vessel following the grounding incident.
Final Disposition
The Agnes Smith was destroyed by fire following the grounding incident in July 1912.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Agnes Smith’s wreckage site features a significant amount of debris on both sides of the shoal. Remnants of two hulls, including engine mounts, are present on the north side, though most machinery was salvaged. The site is suitable for novice divers, with a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 meters). Access involves navigating westward in the McBean Channel from the entrance to McBean Harbour, proceeding northwest of Lee Island with caution, and moving slowly northwest until the shoal becomes visible, often marked by plastic jugs.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”agnes-smith-c-116244″ title=”References & Links”]
Mariners navigating the area are advised to exercise caution due to the shoal east of Hotham Island, where the Agnes Smith was lost, which is typically marked with plastic jugs to indicate the hazard.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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