Shotline Diving

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Great Lakes Research Archive

Shotline Wreck Record

Beatrice M. C 107167

Explore the history of the Beatrice M., a fish tug built in 1902, scuttled in Lake Superior with an undocumented final resting place.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Beatrice M.
  • Type: Fish tug
  • Year Built: 1902
  • Builder: Collingwood, Ontario
  • Dimensions: 60 ft × 12 ft × 6 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 36 tons
  • Location: Lake Superior
  • Official Number: 107167
  • Original Owners: J. Bowman (1902–1917), William Garrish (1921–1927), A. Murray (1935)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type

Fish tug

Description

Description

The Beatrice M. was a single-screw steamer built primarily for fishing operations on Lake Superior. It was designed to assist commercial fishermen, operating between Rossport and Port Arthur.

History

History

Owned initially by J. Bowman from 1902 to 1917, the vessel changed hands to William Garrish from 1921 to 1927, and then to A. Murray in 1935. Throughout its service, it played a significant role in the fishing industry of the region.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

  • Removed from register after 1935.
  • Scuttled, with the date and location unspecified.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

The Beatrice M. was ultimately scuttled, although the exact date and location remain unknown. The registry cancellation likely occurred after 1935.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and it remains undocumented in terms of its exact resting place.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”beatrice-m-c-107167″ title=”References & Links”]

Summary

The Beatrice M. served as a fish tug on Lake Superior, built in Collingwood in 1902 and owned by successive operators in Rossport and Port Arthur. Removed from the register after at least 1935, she was ultimately scuttled. Her final resting place and circumstances remain undocumented, making her a strong candidate for deeper archival research and potential wreck-site identification.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Identification & Specifications

  • Name: Beatrice M.
  • Official Number: 107167
  • Year Built: 1902
  • Shipyard: Collingwood, Ontario
  • Propulsion: Single-screw steamer
  • Gross Tonnage: 36 tons
  • Dimensions: 60 ft × 12 ft × 6 ft
  • Engine: 8″ × 8″ steam engine (maker unknown)
  • Vessel Type: Fish tug

Ownership & Service Timeline

  • 1902–1917: Owned by J. Bowman, Rossport, Ontario
  • 1921–1927: Owned by William Garrish, Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay)
  • 1935: Ownership transferred to A. Murray, Port Arthur

Operated primarily as a fish tug—likely serving commercial fishermen on Lake Superior between Rossport and Port Arthur.

Final Disposition

  • Outcome: Removed from register
  • Fate: Scuttled (date and location unspecified)
  • Registry cancellation likely occurred after 1935

Gaps & Research Opportunities

While the build data and ownership history are clear, crucial details remain unverified:

  • Exact Scuttling Date & Location – Unknown
  • Reason for Scuttling – Possible structural decline, economic obsolescence, or damage
  • Registry Cancellation Records – Needed from Transport Canada archives
  • Local Reporting – Fish-tug retirements are sometimes noted in regional newspapers

Next Steps for Research

  1. Transport Canada Archives – Search for cancelled registry file (likely post-1935)
  2. Port Arthur / Thunder Bay Newspapers (1935–1950) – Notices about fish-tug disposals or salvage
  3. Rossport Historical Societies – Local oral history archives may mention the tug’s end-of-life
  4. Hydrographic Charts of Lake Superior – Scuttled wrecks sometimes appear in mid-20th-century charts

Summary

The Beatrice M. served as a fish tug on Lake Superior, built in Collingwood in 1902 and owned by successive operators in Rossport and Port Arthur. Removed from the register after at least 1935, she was ultimately scuttled. Her final resting place and circumstances remain undocumented, making her a strong candidate for deeper archival research and potential wreck-site identification.

beatrice-m-c-107167 1935-07-18 11:28:00