Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Elsie Doris
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1921
- Builder: Midland, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 63.5 ft (19.4 m); Beam: 14.5 ft; Depth of hold: 7 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 64 tons
- Location: Lake Ontario
- Official Number: C.138184
- Original Owners: H. J. Dixon and Toronto Drydock Company Ltd.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Elsie Doris was a wooden tugboat designed for harbor operations and governmental tasks related to mining and exploration.
Description
Constructed in 1921 in Midland, Ontario, the Elsie Doris was originally built for the Minister of Mines of the Province of Ontario. It served various governmental functions before being repurposed as a harbor tug in Toronto.
History
During the 1930s, the Elsie Doris was acquired by H. J. Dixon and the Toronto Drydock Company Ltd., where it provided essential towing and maneuvering services in Toronto’s busy harbor.
Significant Incidents
- 1921: Built in Midland, Ontario for the Minister of Mines.
- 1930s: Acquired by H. J. Dixon and the Toronto Drydock Company Ltd., used as a harbor tug in Toronto.
- November 1945: Boilers and engine removed, hull scuttled in Lake Ontario.
Final Disposition
By November 1945, the Elsie Doris was decommissioned, with its boilers and engine removed. The hull was towed out into Lake Ontario and scuttled, a common practice for vessels that had outlived their usefulness.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Elsie Doris no longer exists as a vessel, having been scuttled in Lake Ontario. Its legacy remains as part of the region’s maritime history.
Resources & Links
The Elsie Doris exemplifies the working vessels of the early 20th century, serving both government and commercial interests before its retirement and scuttling in Lake Ontario.