Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Albert Wright (formerly Annie Pratt, originally Annie Reid)
- Type: Tug (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder: H. Hacker (built on the bottom of the Annie Reid)
- Dimensions: Length: 57 ft (17.4 m); Beam: 12.6 ft (3.8 m); Depth of hold: 7.9 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 29 tons
- Location: Not documented
- Official Number: 77915
- Original Owners: J. Swift, W.H. Plummer
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Albert Wright was a wooden screw-propelled tugboat designed for towing and maritime support operations. It was built in 1875, utilizing the hull of the earlier schooner Annie Reid, showcasing the ingenuity of repurposing vessels during the 19th century. Tugboats like the Albert Wright were essential on the Great Lakes, providing logistical support for larger ships and aiding in navigation through harbors and waterways.
Description
The Albert Wright began its life as the Annie Reid, built in 1863 in Buffalo, New York. With a gross tonnage of 76 tons, the schooner served for over a decade before being decommissioned. In 1875, H. Hacker rebuilt the vessel’s hull in Port Hope, Ontario, transforming it into the Albert Wright—a smaller, more versatile tugboat with a gross tonnage of 29 tons.
The tugboat was first registered in Port Hope, Ontario, and played a vital role in towing and harbor operations across the Great Lakes. By 1899, the Albert Wright was owned by J. Swift of Port Hope, who used the vessel for similar purposes. Sometime later, the vessel was renamed Ahteek and registered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, under the ownership of W.H. Plummer by 1905. This name change reflects the common practice of renaming vessels to suit new owners or operational needs.
History
Details surrounding the Albert Wright’s demise remain unclear. There is no record of its loss or wreckage in available maritime databases. It may have been decommissioned or lost without significant incident, a common fate for many smaller working vessels of the era.
Significant Incidents
- Originally built as the Annie Reid in 1863, it was repurposed into the Albert Wright in 1875.
- Renamed Ahteek and registered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, by 1905.
Final Disposition
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Albert Wright. The wreck has not been located, and no formal documentation exists regarding its final resting place or condition.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Due to the lack of information about the vessel’s final fate, the condition and accessibility of the Albert Wright remain unknown. It is not considered a significant site for exploration or diving.
Resources & Links
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The Albert Wright reflects the resourcefulness and adaptability of 19th-century shipbuilding, as it began life as the schooner Annie Reid and was later repurposed into a tugboat. Serving multiple owners across decades, the vessel was integral to the maritime economy of the Great Lakes. While the details of its final fate are lost to history, the Albert Wright remains a testament to the dynamic life cycles of working vessels during this era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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