Gordon Gauthier (1883)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: GORDON GAUTHIER
• Type: Tugboat (Towboat)
• Year Built: 1883
• Builder: Wallaceburg, Ontario
• Dimensions: Length 53 ft (16.2 m); Beam 12 ft (3.7 m); Depth of hold 5.6 ft (1.7 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 26.38 tons, Net: 17.94 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 4.6 m / 15 ft
• Location: Mary Island, Lake Superior
• Original Owners: Charles W. Gauthier, S.F. Reeves, Lake Superior Tug Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The GORDON GAUTHIER was a wooden-hulled tugboat (towboat) built in 1883 in Wallaceburg, Ontario. The vessel was powered by a high-pressure, single-cylinder engine with dimensions of 12″ x 12″, built by the Keri Brothers in Walkerville, Ontario, in 1884. Originally measuring 52.7 feet (16.1 meters) in length, with a beam of 11.3 feet (3.4 meters) and a depth of 5.3 feet (1.6 meters), the tug was reconstructed in 1886, slightly increasing its dimensions and tonnage. Tugboats like the GORDON GAUTHIER were essential in the Great Lakes, providing towing services for larger vessels, assisting in harbor maneuvers, and performing various other tasks that were vital to maritime operations.

Description

The GORDON GAUTHIER was launched in 1883, originally owned by Charles W. Gauthier of Sandwich, Ontario. The tugboat served various roles on the Great Lakes, including towing and harbor work. The vessel underwent significant changes throughout its career, including a rebuild in 1886 that adjusted its dimensions and increased its tonnage. Ownership of the GORDON GAUTHIER changed hands multiple times, with the vessel eventually coming under the ownership of S.F. Reeves in Windsor, Ontario, in 1899. By 1911, the tugboat was owned by the Lake Superior Tug Co. in Port Arthur, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

History

On October 9, 1911, the GORDON GAUTHIER met its tragic end when it caught fire and burned down in the harbor of Port Arthur, Ontario, located in Thunder Bay on Lake Superior. The fire completely consumed the vessel, leading to its total loss. The wreck now rests in approximately 15 feet (4.6 meters) of water near Mary Island in Lake Superior.

Significant Incidents

• October 9, 1911: The GORDON GAUTHIER caught fire and was completely consumed in the harbor of Port Arthur, Ontario.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the GORDON GAUTHIER lies in shallow water, approximately 15 feet (4.6 meters) deep, near Mary Island, Lake Superior. The specific date of the wreck’s discovery is not provided.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The GORDON GAUTHIER wreck lies in shallow water, making it accessible for exploration by divers. The vessel’s wooden structure may have deteriorated over time, particularly after being burned down, but the wreck site can still offer insights into the construction and operation of late 19th-century tugboats on the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”gordon-gauthier-1883″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The tugboat GORDON GAUTHIER, built in 1883 and lost in 1911, serves as a testament to the essential role played by small vessels in the maritime operations of the Great Lakes. Its history, from construction to tragic loss by fire, reflects the challenges faced by vessels during this period. The wreck, now lying in shallow water near Mary Island, remains a point of interest for divers and maritime historians alike, offering a glimpse into the past and the legacy of Great Lakes shipping.