Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Gilbert
- Type: Wooden Tugboat
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: Cardinal, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 72 ft (21.95 m); Beam 19 ft (5.79 m); Depth of hold 5.5 ft (1.68 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 41; Net Tonnage: 28
- Depth at Wreck Site: 1.68 m / 5.5 ft
- Location: West Market Street slip, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Official Number: C. 85712
- Original Owners: Haney and Miller (by 1914)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Tugboat
Description
The Gilbert was a wooden-hulled tugboat constructed in 1884 in Cardinal, Ontario. Measuring 72 feet in length with a beam of 19 feet and a depth of 5.5 feet, she had a gross tonnage of 41 and a net tonnage of 28. Designed for towing operations, the Gilbert served primarily in the St. Lawrence River and later in the Great Lakes region.
History
Throughout her operational life, the Gilbert was actively engaged in towing services along the St. Lawrence River. By 1914, she was owned by Haney and Miller and was employed in towing barges for the Point Anne Quarries, facilitating the transport of quarried materials.
In the early 1920s, the Gilbert was laid up in the West Market Street slip in Toronto. Over the subsequent years, the vessel gradually deteriorated while docked. Around 1926, in preparation for harbour development projects, the remains of the Gilbert were broken up and removed from the slip.
Significant Incidents
There are no records indicating that the remains of the Gilbert were discovered or documented after her dismantling.
Final Disposition
The Gilbert was dismantled circa 1926 in the West Market Street slip, Toronto, to make way for harbour development.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no known navigational warnings or advisories related to the Gilbert‘s former location.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”gilbert-c-85712″ title=”References & Links”]
The Gilbert‘s history reflects the evolution of maritime operations in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River regions during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her service in towing operations for industries such as the Point Anne Quarries highlights the integral role tugboats played in supporting economic activities. The vessel’s eventual dismantling in Toronto underscores the continuous development and transformation of harbour facilities to accommodate growing urban and commercial needs.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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