Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Gary D C 154870

Explore the wreck of the Gary D, a small steel tug lost in an explosion in 1958 near Strawberry Island Light.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Gary D
  • Type: Steel propeller tug
  • Year Built: 1932
  • Builder: Midland, Ontario
  • Dimensions: 47 ft × 11 ft × 5 ft; 18 gross tons
  • Registered Tonnage: 18 gross tons
  • Location: Near Strawberry Island Light, North Channel, Lake Huron
  • Official Number: C154870
  • Original Owners: Ownership records remain to be further researched

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Steel propeller tug with a wooden deck and superstructure.

Description

The Gary D was originally named Col. E. A. Oliver and was constructed in 1932 in Midland, Ontario. It served primarily in harbor towing and short-distance support roles in the North Channel of Lake Huron.

History

Constructed in 1932, the Gary D was registered out of Midland, Ontario. Its operational history is not well-documented in standard Great Lakes registers, and further research is needed to uncover details about its ownership and service.

Significant Incidents

  • Date of loss: 5 August 1958
  • Location: Near Strawberry Island Light, North Channel, Lake Huron
  • Cause of loss: Destroyed by an onboard explosion and subsequent fire; declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

The vessel was effectively lost at sea, with no records of hull removal or salvage documented. It is believed that the wreck lies near the shoreline adjacent to Strawberry Island, but no modern surveys or diver reports have been located.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck status is unexamined, and there may be potentially hazardous debris near navigation routes.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”gary-d-c-154870″ title=”References & Links”]

The Gary D was a small, steel-hulled tug that faced a tragic end due to an explosion and fire in 1958. Its loss highlights the dangers encountered by working vessels in the mid-20th century. The wreck remains undocumented, presenting opportunities for archival research and potential field surveys.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Built: 1932 in Midland, Ontario, originally named Col. E. A. Oliver
  • Official Number: C154870
  • Type: Steel propeller tug, wooden deck and superstructure
  • Dimensions: 47 ft × 11 ft × 5 ft; 18 gross tons
  • Registry: Midland, Ontario

Construction & Ownership

  • Constructed in 1932 in Midland, Ontario
  • Originally carried name Col. E. A. Oliver; later renamed Gary D.
  • Registered out of Midland, Ontario; ownership records remain to be further researched

Operational Role

  • Functioned as a small steel-hulled tug in the North Channel of Lake Huron, typically in harbor towing and short-distance support roles
  • No specific operational history readily available in standard Great Lakes registers

Loss Incident

Final Disposition & Site Status

  • Vessel was effectively lost at sea; no records of hull removal or salvage documented
  • Likely remains lie near shoreline adjacent to Strawberry Island; no modern surveys or diver reports located
  • Wreck status: Unexamined; potentially hazardous debris near navigation routes

Research Gaps & Further Investigation

  • Ownership details: Consulting Transport Canada or Ontario vessel registry archives for original owner, renaming records, and operational logs
  • Explosion & fire investigation: Seek Ontario Ministry of Transport incident files or local maritime insurance/salvage documents from 1958
  • Casualty records: Examine crew lists and Coast Guard reports for any injuries or fatalities
  • Wreck survey potential: A small-scale remote sensing or shore dive survey near Strawberry Island Light could confirm location and remaining structure

Conclusion

Gary D. was a small, steel-hulled tug active on Lake Huron when destroyed by an explosion and fire on 5 August 1958. Though modest in size and unsung in maritime registers, its dramatic loss speaks to the risks faced by working vessels even in the mid-20th century. The wreck remains undocumented—offering an opportunity for focused archival retrieval and possible field survey.

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