Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Albatross
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: A. Muir, Port Dalhousie, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 317 tons
- Location: Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: C75633
- Original Owners: Midland Towing & Wrecking Co., Midland, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Albatross was a wooden schooner-barge, a vessel designed for transporting heavy cargo, typically in tow behind a tug. Schooner-barges were common on the Great Lakes and played a critical role in the regional economy. The Albatross had a single deck and robust dimensions suited to its cargo-hauling duties. After an incident in 1878, it underwent significant repairs and may have been enlarged, reflecting its long service life.
The Albatross was constructed in 1871 by A. Muir in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. For decades, it served as part of the Midland Towing & Wrecking Co.’s fleet, assisting in towing and salvage operations while carrying various bulk goods.
Description
The Albatross ran aground on Middle Island in Lake Huron in 1878, requiring significant repairs. It is speculated that it was also enlarged during this period to enhance its capacity and utility.
History
On August 21, 1911, while being towed by the tug C.C. Martin, the Albatross encountered a severe storm in Georgian Bay. The schooner-barge began taking on water and eventually sank. Fortunately, there were no fatalities among the crew of the Albatross, but the survivors faced a harrowing ordeal. Two men, three women, and two children escaped in an open yawl, enduring 36 hours at sea before reaching shore near Byng Inlet.
The fate of the tug C.C. Martin and its crew, including Captain George Vent and his wife, remains uncertain. It is believed that the tug may have been dragged down when the Albatross sank, making this one of the worst disasters in Georgian Bay at the time.
The sinking of the Albatross and the possible loss of the C.C. Martin were widely regarded as a tragic reminder of the dangers of Great Lakes navigation, particularly during storms.
Significant Incidents
- 1878 Grounding: The Albatross ran aground on Middle Island in Lake Huron and required significant repairs. It is speculated that it was also enlarged during this period to enhance its capacity and utility.
Final Disposition
The Albatross sank in Georgian Bay during a storm, and its wreck remains undiscovered. The exact circumstances of the sinking, as well as the fate of the tug C.C. Martin, are unclear.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with this wreck. The wreck’s location has not been documented, posing no known hazards to modern navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”albatross-c-75633″ title=”References & Links”]
The Albatross exemplifies the challenges faced by schooner-barges navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite surviving for decades and undergoing repairs, it ultimately succumbed to the unpredictable and often violent conditions of Lake Huron. The tragic events of August 1911, including the ordeal of its survivors and the mystery surrounding the C.C. Martin, remain a somber chapter in Georgian Bay’s maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →