Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: FRED DAVIDSON
- Type: Tug (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: J. Storey
- Dimensions: 62 ft (18.9 m); Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 43 gross tons, 29 net tons
- Location: North of Pointe au Baril, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 92302
- Original Owners: David Davidson, Collingwood, Ontario
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The FRED DAVIDSON was a wooden-hulled, single-deck tugboat designed for towing operations in the Great Lakes.
Description
The FRED DAVIDSON was built in 1887 in Penetang, Ontario, by J. Storey for David Davidson of Collingwood, Ontario. This tugboat was essential for towing ships, barges, and log rafts in the busy waters of the Great Lakes, particularly in Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. It was equipped with a single-cylinder, high-pressure engine built by Jas. Doty, providing the necessary power for towing operations.
History
The FRED DAVIDSON operated primarily in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, serving various industrial needs, including assisting in timber transport and supporting larger vessels navigating the narrow waterways and busy ports of the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
- On September 4, 1916, the FRED DAVIDSON foundered in a severe storm while navigating north of Pointe au Baril in Georgian Bay, resulting in a total loss.
- There were no lives lost in the incident.
Final Disposition
The FRED DAVIDSON was lost in a storm, highlighting the unpredictable weather conditions of the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location. No current navigational advisories or obstructions related to the FRED DAVIDSON wreck site near Pointe au Baril, Georgian Bay.
Resources & Links
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The FRED DAVIDSON tugboat represents a key piece of the industrial history of the Great Lakes. Though modest in size and power, it was a workhorse of the region until its loss in a 1916 storm. The survival of her crew in such perilous conditions is a fortunate outcome in the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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