Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Derrick Whitby
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Not available
- Registered Tonnage: Not available
- Location: Consolidated Dredging Ltd. dock, Penetanguishene, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Tugboat
Description
The Derrick Whitby was a working tug assigned to dredging or harbour support operations in Penetanguishene, a historical shipbuilding and marine industry hub on the southeastern shores of Georgian Bay. While specific dimensions and tonnage are not available in surviving records, the tug was likely of modest harbour or utility class, consistent with the vessels used by companies such as Consolidated Dredging Ltd. during the mid-20th century.
History
On June 14, the Derrick Whitby sank at its moorings at the Consolidated Dredging Ltd. dock in Penetanguishene. The cause of the sinking is not detailed in surviving documentation, and no information has been located to suggest whether the incident involved damage, structural failure, weather, or operational oversight. The region has long supported dredging and maintenance of channels, particularly during periods of heightened shipping and marina construction, suggesting the tug may have been part of broader harbour infrastructure support.
The vessel’s loss does not appear to have caused any known injuries or environmental damage, and the case was likely recorded primarily for insurance or legal registry purposes.
Significant Incidents
- The Derrick Whitby sank at its moorings on June 14 (year unspecified).
Final Disposition
The Derrick Whitby was not listed among formally salvaged or recovered vessels in subsequent Canadian maritime records. It is presumed either removed as scrap, left submerged and forgotten, or dismantled in situ depending on its value and environmental impact.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no known diver or sonar confirmations of the Derrick Whitby wreck site, and it is likely no longer visible if still submerged.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”derrick-whitby-pre-1980″ title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of the tugboat Derrick Whitby is emblematic of the many minor marine incidents that occurred along Canada’s industrial waterfronts and harbours during the 20th century. Though obscure and sparsely documented, these losses offer insight into the day-to-day risks and operational realities of workboats supporting dredging and harbour maintenance industries across Ontario.
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.
Derrick Whitby – Tugboat Sinking at Penetanguishene
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Derrick Whitby
- Former Names: None known
- Registration Number(s): Not available
- Date Built and Launched: Not recorded
- Measurements: Not available
- Date Lost: June 14 (Year unspecified)
- Location: Consolidated Dredging Ltd. dock, Penetanguishene, Ontario
Vessel Type
Tugboat
Description
The Derrick Whitby was a working tug assigned to dredging or harbour support operations in Penetanguishene, a historical shipbuilding and marine industry hub on the southeastern shores of Georgian Bay. While specific dimensions and tonnage are not available in surviving records, the tug was likely of modest harbour or utility class, consistent with the vessels used by companies such as Consolidated Dredging Ltd. during the mid-20th century.
History
On June 14, the Derrick Whitby sank at its moorings at the Consolidated Dredging Ltd. dock in Penetanguishene. The cause of the sinking is not detailed in surviving documentation, and no information has been located to suggest whether the incident involved damage, structural failure, weather, or operational oversight. The region has long supported dredging and maintenance of channels, particularly during periods of heightened shipping and marina construction, suggesting the tug may have been part of broader harbour infrastructure support.
The vessel’s loss does not appear to have caused any known injuries or environmental damage, and the case was likely recorded primarily for insurance or legal registry purposes.
Final Disposition
The Derrick Whitby was not listed among formally salvaged or recovered vessels in subsequent Canadian maritime records. It is presumed either removed as scrap, left submerged and forgotten, or dismantled in situ depending on its value and environmental impact.
Located By & Date Found
There are no known diver or sonar confirmations of the Derrick Whitby wreck site, and it is likely no longer visible if still submerged.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational warnings or known obstructions registered with Transport Canada or Canadian Coast Guard relating to this incident.
Resources & Links
- Register of Wrecks and Casualties – Inland Waters (Library & Archives Canada)
- Page 87 references the Derrick Whitby sinking at dock.
Searches across the following repositories yielded no further specific entries:
- Great Lakes Vessels Online Index – BGSU
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- 3D Shipwrecks
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks
- Toronto Telegram Fonds – YorkU
Conclusion
The sinking of the tugboat Derrick Whitby is emblematic of the many minor marine incidents that occurred along Canada’s industrial waterfronts and harbours during the 20th century. Though obscure and sparsely documented, these losses offer insight into the day-to-day risks and operational realities of workboats supporting dredging and harbour maintenance industries across Ontario.
Keywords and Categories
- Keywords: Derrick Whitby, tugboat, Penetanguishene, dredging, sinking, Consolidated Dredging Ltd.
- Categories: Canadian Maritime History, Tugboat Incidents, Inland Waterways, Industrial Marine Operations
Glossary Terms
- Tugboat: A small, powerful work vessel used for towing or pushing ships and barges.
- Dredging: Excavation activity carried out underwater to gather bottom sediments and widen or deepen waterways.
- Dock Sinking: The submergence of a vessel while moored or tied up at a dock, sometimes due to leaks, weather, or hull failure.