Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dorothy May
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1912
- Builder: Port Dalhousie, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 53 ft (16.2 m); Beam 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage 55; Net Tonnage 29
- Location: Approximately 15 miles off the coast of Port Alma, Ontario
- Official Number: C130284
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Dorothy May was a wooden-hulled steam tugboat, primarily used for towing and assisting larger vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1912 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, the Dorothy May was a modest-sized tugboat measuring 53 feet (16.2 meters) in length with a beam of 15 feet (4.6 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). She had a gross tonnage of 55 and a net tonnage of 29. The vessel was registered under the Canadian official number C130284. Her wooden construction was typical of tugboats from that era, designed to withstand the rigors of towing operations on the Great Lakes.
History
The Dorothy May served diligently in the Great Lakes region, operating primarily out of Goderich, Ontario. Her duties would have included towing barges, assisting larger vessels in docking and undocking procedures, and possibly ice-breaking activities during colder months. Details about her specific voyages and operations are limited, but her service contributed to the bustling maritime commerce of the early 20th century on the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
On October 7, 1941, the Dorothy May encountered a severe storm while navigating Lake Erie. Approximately 15 miles off the coast of Port Alma, Ontario, she succumbed to the turbulent weather and foundered. The exact circumstances leading to her sinking remain unclear, and records do not specify the number of crew members aboard or their fates. The loss of the Dorothy May underscores the perils faced by mariners operating on the Great Lakes, where sudden and fierce storms can pose significant threats to smaller vessels.
Final Disposition
There are no publicly available records indicating that the wreck of the Dorothy May has been located or surveyed. The exact position remains unknown, and it is uncertain whether any efforts have been made to discover or document the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific obstructions or navigational advisories related to the Dorothy May are noted in available records. Given the passage of time and the vessel’s relatively small size, it is unlikely that her remains pose a significant hazard to current navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dorothy-may-c-130284″ title=”References & Links”]
The Dorothy May represents one of the many hardworking tugboats that played a crucial role in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Her loss serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous conditions that have challenged mariners throughout history. While much about her story remains unknown, the Dorothy May remains a part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime heritage.
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 & Site Information:
- Name: Dorothy May
- Former Names: None
- Registration Number(s): Canadian Official Number C130284
- Date Built and Launched: 1912
- Measurements: Length 53 feet (16.2 meters), Beam 15 feet (4.6 meters), Depth 9 feet (2.7 meters), Gross Tonnage 55, Net Tonnage 29
- Date Lost: October 7, 1941
Vessel Type
The Dorothy May was a wooden-hulled steam tugboat, primarily used for towing and assisting larger vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1912 at Port Dalhousie, Ontario, the Dorothy May was a modest-sized tugboat measuring 53 feet (16.2 meters) in length with a beam of 15 feet (4.6 meters) and a depth of 9 feet (2.7 meters). She had a gross tonnage of 55 and a net tonnage of 29. The vessel was registered under the Canadian official number C130284. Her wooden construction was typical of tugboats from that era, designed to withstand the rigors of towing operations on the Great Lakes.
History
The Dorothy May served diligently in the Great Lakes region, operating primarily out of Goderich, Ontario. Her duties would have included towing barges, assisting larger vessels in docking and undocking procedures, and possibly ice-breaking activities during colder months. Details about her specific voyages and operations are limited, but her service contributed to the bustling maritime commerce of the early 20th century on the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition
On October 7, 1941, the Dorothy May encountered a severe storm while navigating Lake Erie. Approximately 15 miles off the coast of Port Alma, Ontario, she succumbed to the turbulent weather and foundered. The exact circumstances leading to her sinking remain unclear, and records do not specify the number of crew members aboard or their fates. The loss of the Dorothy May underscores the perils faced by mariners operating on the Great Lakes, where sudden and fierce storms can pose significant threats to smaller vessels.
Located By & Date Found
There are no publicly available records indicating that the wreck of the Dorothy May has been located or surveyed. The exact position remains unknown, and it is uncertain whether any efforts have been made to discover or document the site.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific obstructions or navigational advisories related to the Dorothy May are noted in available records. Given the passage of time and the vessel’s relatively small size, it is unlikely that her remains pose a significant hazard to current navigation.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Dorothy May represents one of the many hardworking tugboats that played a crucial role in the maritime history of the Great Lakes. Her loss serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and often dangerous conditions that have challenged mariners throughout history. While much about her story remains unknown, the Dorothy May remains a part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime heritage.
Suggested Keywords and Categories
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- Dorothy May Tugboat
- Lake Erie Maritime History
- Port Alma Shipwrecks
- 1941 Great Lakes Storms
- Wooden Tugboats
- Maritime Disasters
Glossary Terms
- Foundered: A term used to describe a ship filling with water and sinking.
- Gross Tonnage: A measure of the overall internal volume of a vessel.
- Net Tonnage: The volume of cargo-carrying space within a ship.
- Tugboat: A small, powerful vessel designed to maneuver larger ships by towing or pushing them.