Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Aletha B.
• Type: Fishing Tug
• Year Built: 1945
• Builder: Russel Brothers Ltd.
• Dimensions: 41 ft (12.5 m) X 12 ft (3.7 m); 3 ft 4 in (1 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Off Nanticoke, Pennsylvania
• Coordinates: Unknown
• Official Number: C 175992
• Original Owners: William T. Cochrane, William Siddall, Charlie Weaver, Allan D. Perry
• Number of Masts: Single Screw, Steel Hull

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Aletha B. was a fishing tug designed for commercial fishing operations on the Great Lakes, specifically built with a steel hull for durability.

Description

Aletha B. was a sturdy steel-hulled tug, built for the rugged commercial fishing trade on the Canadian side of Lake Erie. After changing ownership multiple times over three decades, the vessel met her fate on a cold March day in 1974 off Nanticoke, Ontario. Despite being lengthened at some point before 1972, she succumbed to the lake—likely a victim of weather, equipment failure, or shifting loads common to the trade.

Though not as widely recognized as some of the region’s grander wrecks, Aletha B.’s story is woven into the heritage of working vessels that powered the Great Lakes’ fishing economy.

History

Aletha B. was built in 1945 by Russel Brothers Ltd. and was initially owned by William T. Cochrane. Over the years, the vessel changed hands several times, with notable owners including William Siddall, Charlie Weaver, and Allan D. Perry. The tug was modified to extend its length prior to 1972. On March 14, 1974, Aletha B. foundered off Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, resulting in the loss of two crew members. The cause of the sinking is attributed to foundering, possibly due to adverse weather conditions or equipment failure.

Significant Incidents

• Foundered on March 14, 1974, off Nanticoke, Pennsylvania.
• Two crew members lost during the sinking.
• The vessel was eventually raised and returned to service as the Glen L.

Final Disposition

The Aletha B. was raised after sinking and was subsequently returned to service under the name Glen L.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current status of the wreck is undocumented and presumed lost. There is no known salvage activity, and it is not recognized as a dive site.

Resources & Links

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The Aletha B. represents a class of vessels essential to Canada’s Great Lakes maritime economy. Her sinking serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by the men and women of the fishing industry.