Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Auburnville
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1944
- Builder: Russell Brothers, Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada
- Dimensions: Length: 37 ft 5 in (11.4 m); Beam: 10 ft 5 in (3.2 m); Depth: 4 ft 8 in (1.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 11 tons; Net Tonnage: 7 tons
- Location: Off 30 Mile Point, Lake Ontario, west of Rochester, New York
- Coordinates: Approximately 43° 32′ N latitude, 78° 33.8′ W longitude
- Official Number: C 177428
- Original Owners: National Gypsum (Canada) Ltd., Cheticamp, Nova Scotia
- Number of Masts: Wooden hull
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wartime tugboat, the W. A. C. No. 5 was designed for coastal and harbor maneuvering during World War II. Later, in peacetime, it was repurposed for commercial tug operations in the gypsum industry.
Description
Built as part of Canada’s wartime vessel construction under the Naval Service Headquarters between 1943 and 1945, the W. A. C. No. 5 had a wooden hull and was powered by a modest but effective 93-horsepower engine. Despite its small size, it was instrumental during its military service and later found use in commercial operations, supporting maritime commerce.
History
The tugboat was launched in 1944 as a support vessel during World War II. Its initial service included towing and maneuvering in Canadian coastal and harbor waters. In 1947, the vessel was decommissioned from military use and sold to Marine Industries Ltd. of Montreal, Quebec, alongside two other tugs. Renamed Auburnville, it transitioned to a commercial role and was re-registered in Halifax.
Operated by National Gypsum (Canada) Ltd., the Auburnville supported the company’s operations in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia, primarily transporting and handling gypsum-related materials.
Significant Incidents
On May 31, 1962, Auburnville sank off 30 Mile Point in Lake Ontario under unclear circumstances. Positioned west of Rochester, New York, the vessel disappeared without a clear explanation or recovery. Efforts to locate and salvage the wreck have proven unsuccessful, and the Auburnville remains missing, adding to the Great Lakes’ legacy of maritime mysteries.
Final Disposition
The wreck has not been located to date.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”auburnville-c-177428-w-a-c-no-5″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The W. A. C. No. 5 (Auburnville) serves as a poignant example of a vessel that served Canada in both war and peace, only to end its journey shrouded in mystery. Its fate remains a question mark in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history, reminding us of the hazards and enigmas tied to these inland seas.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →