H.A. Root – Unreported Barge Shipwreck

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: H.A. Root
• Type: Wooden Screw Steamer
• Year Built: 1886
• Builder: Saugatuck, Michigan
• Dimensions: Approx. 34 m × 7.6 m × 2.7 m
• Registered Tonnage: 208
• Location: Near Sarnia, Ontario
• Coordinates: Unknown
• Official Number: 126195
• Original Owners: Braund & Caldwell (post-1910)
• Number of Masts: Single-screw

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

A small to mid-sized wooden screw steamer designed for general freight and towing/utility service. Likely single-deck with minimal superstructure and open working space.

Description

The H.A. Root was built in 1886 in Saugatuck, Michigan, and served under U.S. registry until 1910. After being purchased by Braund & Caldwell of Windsor, Ontario, the vessel was barely used and failed to secure a Canadian inspection certificate.

History

Throughout her Canadian tenure, the H.A. Root was not operational and ultimately abandoned. The vessel was reportedly scuttled at Sarnia, Ontario, although no specific scuttling date has been found in public records.

Significant Incidents

• The vessel failed to pass inspection upon arrival in Canada, leading to its abandonment.
• Reportedly scuttled at Sarnia, likely in a near-shore location.

Final Disposition

The H.A. Root was abandoned and later scuttled at Sarnia, Ontario. The exact location of the wreck remains unknown, with no coordinates or dive reports identified.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current underwater state and depth of the wreck remain undocumented. No known Notices to Mariners or hazard markings related to the H.A. Root have been identified.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-a-root-us-126195″ title=”References & Links”]

Built in 1886, the H.A. Root was transferred to Canadian ownership in 1910 but never became operational. Its abandonment and scuttling at Sarnia leave much of its story untold, with potential for further research and discovery.