Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Harold B. Phillips
- Type: Towboat / Tug
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: Henry D. Root, Lorain, Ohio
- Dimensions: 59 ft (18 m) L × 16 ft (4.88 m) B × 8 ft (2.44 m) D
- Registered Tonnage: 66 gross, 31 net tons
- Location: Beached below the Sunset Hotel, likely near Sarnia, ON
- Official Number: C 95857
- Original Owners: Robert Greenbargh, B.B. Inman, S. Wayne & Jay Harstey, Thompson Towing, C.S. Boone Dredge & Construction Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Harold B. Phillips is classified as a towboat or tug, originally built in 1880. It served various roles in towing operations across the Great Lakes.
Description
Originally named George W. Lormer, the vessel was renamed Mary Virginia in 1883 and later Harold B. Phillips in 1903. It was constructed of wood and featured twin steam engines, providing approximately 425 horsepower.
History
The vessel was built in 1880 by Henry D. Root in Lorain, Ohio. It had a varied ownership history, including notable owners such as Robert Greenbargh and B.B. Inman. The vessel was re-registered in Canada in 1903 under its final name.
Significant Incidents
- 1933: Stripped of machinery and fittings.
- Later beached in a vessel ‘boneyard’ below the Sunset Hotel alongside other derelicts.
- Pilot house removed and relocated to the north pier.
Final Disposition
The wreck is currently beached and in a degraded condition, with wooden remains likely visible. The site is marked with a buoy for identification.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Diving access requires anchoring off the site; divers should not moor to the buoy line. The wreck is shallow and may be accessible to wade-in divers, but visibility can be variable due to deteriorated wreckage.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”harold-b-phillips-c-95857-george-w-lormer-mary-virginia” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Harold B. Phillips serves as a significant historical artifact of Great Lakes tow operations. Divers are encouraged to respect the site and its archaeological context, adhering to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories.’
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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