Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Emma Munson
- Type: Wooden Screw Tugboat
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: George H. Notter, Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 64.5 ft (19.7 m); Beam: 12.1 ft (3.7 m); Depth of hold: 6.8 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 32 tons
- Location: Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River
- Official Number: C 61169
- Original Owners: McNaughton & Co., Montreal, Quebec
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Emma Munson, originally the Eli Schriver, was a wooden screw tugboat designed for towing and utility work on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Built in Buffalo in 1873, the vessel was a vital asset in the maritime industries of the region. Over its operational years, the Emma Munson was involved in harbour operations, towing dredges, and general transport.
Description
The Emma Munson was constructed in 1873 and served primarily under A. E. Munson of Cobourg, Ontario. The tugboat was utilized for towing barges and assisting with harbour duties. It underwent a rebuild in 1886, maintaining its gross tonnage of 32 tons. The vessel changed ownership several times throughout its operational life, reflecting its utility and demand in the region.
History
Constructed in Buffalo, New York, in 1873, the vessel began its service under A. E. Munson of Cobourg, Ontario, primarily towing barges and assisting with harbour duties. The vessel underwent a rebuild in 1886, maintaining its gross tonnage of 32 tons. Ownership of the tug shifted several times, reflecting its utility and demand in the region.
Significant Incidents
- Incident with Dredge Munson: In 1890, the Emma Munson was towing the dredge Munson back to Belleville from Kingston when the dredge sank near Collins Bay, Lake Ontario. The tug survived the incident and returned to service.
Final Disposition
The Emma Munson met its final fate years later in Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, where it was deliberately burned and sank. The reasons for its burning remain speculative, possibly due to decommissioning practices or accidental fire.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is accessible to divers in the Alexandria Bay area. The cold freshwater environment of the St. Lawrence River has likely preserved much of the wooden structure, making it an intriguing site for underwater exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”emma-munson-c-61169″ title=”References & Links”]
The Emma Munson‘s story encapsulates the evolving utility of tugboats during the late 19th century and their significance in the industrial and maritime networks of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its rediscovery by Bob Sherwood has reignited interest in this humble yet historically important vessel. The accessible wreck continues to contribute to the region’s rich underwater cultural 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.
Tug Emma Munson, c.1890s. According to the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes it was “built by G. H. Notter, Buffalo, N.Y. 1873. Engine 18×19 by A. E. Hinton, Cobourg Ont. Tug. Sank 22/06/98 Alexandria Bay, N.Y.”
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Eli Schriver (renamed Emma Munson, briefly Ella Munson)
- Type: Wooden Screw Tugboat
- Built: 1873
- Builder: George H. Notter, Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 64.5 feet (19.7 meters) Beam: 12.1 feet (3.7 meters) Depth: 6.8 feet (2.1 meters)
- Tonnage: Gross: 32 tons
- Propulsion: Single screw propulsion system
- Home Port: Cobourg, Ontario
- Final Owner: McNaughton & Co., Montreal, Quebec
- Official Number: C 61169
- Wreck Location: Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, St. Lawrence River
- Depth of Wreck: Exact depth not provided; accessible to divers.
- Discovery: Found by Bob Sherwood
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Emma Munson, originally the Eli Schriver, was a wooden screw tugboat designed for towing and utility work on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Built in Buffalo in 1873, the vessel was a vital asset in the maritime industries of the region. Over its operational years, the Emma Munson was involved in harbour operations, towing dredges, and general transport.
HISTORY
Constructed in Buffalo, New York, in 1873, the vessel began its service under A. E. Munson of Cobourg, Ontario, primarily towing barges and assisting with harbour duties. The vessel underwent a rebuild in 1886, maintaining its gross tonnage of 32 tons. Ownership of the tug shifted several times, reflecting its utility and demand in the region.
Incident with Dredge Munson
In 1890, the Emma Munson was towing the dredge Munson back to Belleville from Kingston when the dredge sank near Collins Bay, Lake Ontario. The tug survived the incident and returned to service, continuing its duties until its eventual demise.
Burning and Final Sinking
The Emma Munson met its final fate years later in Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, where it was deliberately burned and sank. The reasons for its burning remain speculative, possibly due to decommissioning practices or accidental fire.
Discovery
The wreck of the Emma Munson was recently located by diver and maritime historian Bob Sherwood. His work highlights the vessel’s historical significance and the story of its rediscovery in the clear waters of the St. Lawrence River.
The wreck lies in Alexandria Bay, in the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River. The site provides an accessible and historically rich dive location, offering a glimpse into late 19th and early 20th-century tugboat construction and operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is accessible to divers in the Alexandria Bay area. The cold freshwater environment of the St. Lawrence River has likely preserved much of the wooden structure, making it an intriguing site for underwater exploration.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck site. Divers should consult local guidelines and exercise caution, particularly regarding currents in the St. Lawrence River.
RESOURCES & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Documentation of the vessel’s history. Explore Here
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed records of the vessel and incidents. Swayze File
- 3D Model of the Wreck: Created by Thousand Islands Historical Society. View Model on Sketchfab
- Dive Site Documentation by Bob Sherwood: Videos and photographs of the site. Sherwood Video on Flickr
Analysis
The Emma Munson‘s story encapsulates the evolving utility of tugboats during the late 19th century and their significance in the industrial and maritime networks of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Its rediscovery by Bob Sherwood has reignited interest in this humble yet historically important vessel. The accessible wreck continues to contribute to the region’s rich underwater cultural heritage.
KEYWORDS Emma Munson, Eli Schriver, Alexandria Bay Wreck, Tugboat, St. Lawrence River, Great Lakes Maritime History, Bob Sherwood.
emma-munson-c-61169 1899-03-14 07:53:00