Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Annie Watt
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven packet steamer (passenger & package freight)
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: A. Hackett, Lion’s Head, Ontario
- Dimensions: 75 ft (22.9 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 62 tons (Gross); 42 tons (Net)
- Location: Off Gunn Point or near Barrier Island, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Off Gunn Point or near Barrier Island
- Official Number: C85326
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Annie Watt was a wooden propeller-driven packet steamer designed for passenger and package freight transport.
Description
The Annie Watt was built in 1884 and operated as a packet steamer, transporting passengers and small cargo along Lake Huron’s eastern shore. She played a crucial role in connecting small communities with larger hubs like Owen Sound and Lion’s Head.
History
The Annie Watt was designed for scheduled service, regularly running between Owen Sound, Lion’s Head, and smaller settlements along the Bruce Peninsula. On November 8, 1889, she caught fire and was declared a total loss but was rebuilt due to her economic importance to the region.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage and Loss: The Annie Watt sank on August 13, 1890 (some records say August 16) after colliding with the steamer Alderson. No lives were lost.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Annie Watt is located off Gunn Point or near Barrier Island in Lake Huron. Given her wooden construction, most of the wreckage has likely deteriorated over time, but metal parts may still exist. The site is accessible for divers and sonar surveys, though no widely known recovery or dive reports have been recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site remains largely unconfirmed, making it a potential target for maritime research and exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”annie-watt-c-85326″ title=”References & Links”]
The Annie Watt was a small but essential packet steamer, serving the Bruce Peninsula’s trade and transportation network before her loss in a collision in 1890. Her sinking highlights the dangers faced by smaller vessels in Great Lakes shipping lanes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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