Bothnia (Jack)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Bothnia (formerly Jack)
• Type: Steambarge
• Year Built: 1895
• Builder: Calvin Company, Garden Island, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length: 178 ft (54.25 m); Beam: 38 ft (11.58 m); Depth: 13 ft (3.96 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 833 gross tons; 478 net tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 15 m / 50 ft
• Location: St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair
• Original Owners: Initially Calvin Company, later Pennsylvania Coal Company, Montreal Transportation Company, and Captain Loonan of Collingwood, Ontario

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Bothnia, originally named Jack, was a wooden-hulled steambarge built with tamarack wood, featuring a single deck. Designed for cargo transportation, particularly in the lumber trade, the vessel was a robust example of late 19th-century maritime engineering on the Great Lakes. Equipped with a powerful steeple compound engine originally from the merchant liner Scotia, the Bothnia was capable of efficient propulsion for its size and tonnage.

Description

The Bothnia was built in 1895 by the Calvin Company of Garden Island, Ontario. Its powerful engine and sturdy construction made it ideal for carrying heavy loads such as lumber and coal.

History

Collision with the Norman (1895)
On May 30, 1895, while operating as the Jack, the vessel collided with the steamer Norman off Alpena, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The Norman sank as a result, but the Jack emerged unscathed and was cleared of any legal liability.

Renaming and Ownership Changes
Following the incident, the vessel was renamed Bothnia and saw changes in ownership:

• Operated under the Pennsylvania Coal Company, later acquired by the Montreal Transportation Company.
• By October 1910, it was owned by Captain Loonan from Collingwood, Ontario, and engaged in the lumber trade in Georgian Bay.

Final Collision and Sinking (1912)
On June 26, 1912, the Bothnia collided with the steel steamer S.S. Curry in the St. Clair Flats of Lake St. Clair, near Star Island House. The collision resulted in the Bothnia sinking under 50 feet (15 meters) of water. Tragically, one life was lost during the incident, marking the vessel’s final journey. The wreck was located in the St. Clair Flats, not far from the site where it had been seized by marshals earlier in its career.

Significant Incidents

• Collision with the Norman on May 30, 1895, resulting in the sinking of the Norman.
• Final collision with the S.S. Curry on June 26, 1912, leading to the sinking of the Bothnia.

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: June 26, 1912
• Cause of Loss: Collision with the S.S. Curry
• Resting Place: St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair
• Depth at Wreck Site: 50 feet (15 meters)

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Bothnia’s wooden hull and components are likely in an advanced state of deterioration due to over a century of submersion in freshwater. However, significant elements of the structure, including the engine, may still be identifiable. The wreck lies at a moderate depth of 50 feet, suitable for divers with intermediate experience. Visibility in the St. Clair Flats may vary, and currents could present additional challenges. The site likely supports a variety of freshwater marine life, contributing to its value as an ecological habitat.

Resources & Links

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The Bothnia’s story is a testament to the challenges of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. From its collision with the Norman to its final sinking in the St. Clair Flats, the vessel’s history is emblematic of the era’s industrial growth and the inherent risks of waterborne trade. Today, its wreck serves as a quiet reminder of those bustling times and offers divers a unique opportunity to explore a piece of Great Lakes maritime heritage.