Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Germanic
- Type: Iron-wood hybrid steamer
- Year Built: 1899
- Builder: Collingwood shipyard, Ontario
- Dimensions: Approximately 1,014 GRT; typical passenger/freight configuration for CSL’s Northern route steamers
- Registered Tonnage: 1,014 gross tons
- Location: Collingwood Outer Harbour, Lake Huron
- Official Number: [not explicitly documented in sources]
- Original Owners: Canada Steamship Lines
- Number of Masts: Not applicable
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Germanic represents the last generation of wood-clad passenger steamers built at Collingwood, transitioning from wooden to iron and steel hull construction. She served with Canada Steamship Lines on the Northern route between Lake Huron and Superior, carrying passengers and freight through the Soo Locks to Duluth and Port Arthur.
Description
No modern underwater surveys or site documentation are known. As the vessel was destroyed at her berth and subsequently dismantled, no wreck site exists in Lake Huron waters. Her remains were salvaged and later broken up near Collingwood.
History
- In 1913 CSL merged the Northern Navigation Co. fleet (owner until 1922), bringing Germanic under the CSL banner while retaining original operations on the Northern route (Detroit/Sarnia–Duluth/Thunder Bay).
- On 30 March 1917, while laden in winter lay-up and about to begin seasonal refit, Germanic caught fire at Collingwood harbour. She was towed out of the inner harbour but high northwest winds drove her aground onto the shoreline, where she was consumed by flames.
- No loss of life was reported, suggesting crew had time to evacuate before the fire overwhelmed the vessel.
Significant Incidents
- Fire occurred during lay-up period on 30 March 1917.
- No casualties reported.
Final Disposition
After burning at her winter berth, the hull was raised in the early 1930s and towed to Wasaga Beach, Ontario, where she was subsequently broken up for scrap.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not applicable—wreck was dismantled in situ; no underwater remains. No archaeological site exists.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”germanic-1899″ title=”References & Links”]
The Germanic, built at Collingwood in 1899 and later integrated into Canada Steamship Lines, was destroyed by fire on 30 March 1917 during preparations for the new season. The fire consumed the vessel while in her winter berth; she was towed to shore by wind before burning to the waterline. The hulk was subsequently raised in the 1930s and broken up at Wasaga Beach. No casualties were reported, and no physical wreck exists today. The incident marked the end of a once-common class of wooden passenger steamers on 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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