Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Bertha May C 90578

Explore the remains of the Bertha May, a small screw steamer scuttled in Muskoka, offering a dive into local maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Bertha May
  • Type: Screw Steamer
  • Year Built: 1886
  • Builder: W. R. Simpson, Gravenhurst, Ontario
  • Dimensions: 44 ft × 11 ft × 5 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 20 tons
  • Location: Muskoka, Ontario
  • Official Number: 90578
  • Original Owners: C. Mickle (1886–1901), C. J. Smith (1906–1917)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Bertha May was a small wooden-hull screw steamer, likely used for lake or river transportation and consistent with Muskoka’s thriving regional trade. Her diminutive size and low tonnage indicate she served as a passenger or light-freight vessel.

Description

Bertha May was a modest 20-ton screw steamer built for local service in Muskoka. She underwent a noteworthy engine replacement in 1913 but was ultimately scuttled after 1917. The scuttling remains unlocated and undocumented, offering a promising opportunity for archival research, boatyard log examination, or a dive survey for possible remains.

History

Bertha May was constructed in 1886 by W. R. Simpson in Gravenhurst, Ontario. The vessel was originally powered by a 9″ × 9″ (likely single-cylinder) engine from Doty Engine Works. In 1913, her original powerplant was removed and transferred to Nubertha, while she received a 6″ × 12″ × 9″ engine from Sharon, manufactured by Waterous Engineering Works, Brantford.

Ownership of Bertha May changed hands several times. From 1886 to 1901, she was owned by C. Mickle of Gravenhurst, Ontario. Between 1906 and 1917, she was owned by C. J. Smith in the Muskoka region.

Significant Incidents

  • Engine swap in 1913, transferring the original engine to Nubertha.

Final Disposition

Bertha May was scuttled, though the date, location, and circumstances remain undocumented in existing sources. The vessel’s small size suggests she was likely sunk in a sheltered area—perhaps near Gravenhurst or Smith’s docks—after reaching the end of service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and there is no documentation or notification regarding its status. Further research is needed to determine its location and condition.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”bertha-may-c-90578″ title=”References & Links”]

Bertha May represents a significant piece of Muskoka’s maritime history. The lack of documentation surrounding her scuttling presents an opportunity for further research and exploration.

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: Bertha May
  • Official Number: 90578
  • Year Built: 1886
  • Shipyard: W. R. Simpson, Gravenhurst, Ontario
  • Propulsion: Single-screw steamer
  • Gross Tonnage: 20 tons
  • Dimensions: 44 ft × 11 ft × 5 ft

Construction & Technical Details

Bertha May was a small wooden-hull screw steamer, likely used for lake or river transportation and consistent with Muskoka’s thriving regional trade. Her diminutive size and low tonnage indicate she served as a passenger or light-freight vessel.

  • Original Engine: 9″ × 9″ (likely single-cylinder) by Doty Engine Works
  • Engine Update: In 1913, her original powerplant was removed and transferred to Nubertha, while she received a 6″ × 12″ × 9″ engine from Sharon, manufactured by Waterous Engineering Works, Brantford

Ownership Timeline

  • 1886–1901: Owned by C. Mickle, Gravenhurst, ON
  • 1906–1917: Owned by C. J. Smith, Muskoka region

Final Disposition

Bertha May was scuttled, though the date, location, and circumstances remain undocumented in existing sources. The vessel’s small size suggests she was likely sunk in a sheltered area—perhaps near Gravenhurst or Smith’s docks—after reaching the end of service.

Research Gaps & Next Steps

Known details:

  • Build data well-documented via watercraft registries
  • Engine swap and transfer records available from local industry

Unresolved aspects:

  • Exact scuttling date and location
  • Motivation for scuttling: end of life, structural issues, or other factors
  • Wreck condition and whether any documentation or notification exists

Recommended research avenues:

  • Gravenhurst & Muskoka Harbour Archives: Port logs, marine bylaws, or disposal notices spanning 1917–1930
  • Local newspapers (Gravenhurst, Huntsville): Search for scuttle notices or small-vessel disposal announcements
  • Marine insurance and certificate cancellation logs at Transport Canada or Ontario provincial marine records (1917–1920)
  • Hydrographic chart reviews: Early 20th-century charts of Lake Muskoka may note scuttled wrecks
  • Local historian institutions – Muskoka heritage societies or museums may hold anecdotal or photograph archives

Summary

Bertha May was a modest 20 ton screw steamer built for local service in Muskoka. She underwent a noteworthy engine replacement in 1913 but was ultimately scuttled after 1917. The scuttling remains unlocated and undocumented, offering a promising opportunity for archival research, boatyard log examination, or a dive survey for possible remains.

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