Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Harold B. Phillips C 95857 (George W. Lormer, Mary Virginia)

Explore the remains of the Harold B. Phillips, a historic towboat beached near Sarnia, Ontario, showcasing late 19th-century Great Lakes maritime history.

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.’

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Original Name: George W. Lormer
  • Renamed: Mary Virginia (1883), Harold B. Phillips (1903)
  • Type: Towboat / Tug
  • Original (U.S.) Tonnage: 32.83 gross, 16.42 net tons
  • Canadian Re-registered Tonnage: 66 gross, 31 net tons (Registry C96857)
  • Final Location: Beached below the Sunset Hotel, likely near Sarnia, ON
  • Marker: Outfitted with a white boat-fender buoy for buoying
  • Depth: Shallow; anchored off visible wreckage

Construction & Specifications

  • Year Built: 1880
  • Builder: Henry D. Root, Lorain, Ohio
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Dimensions:
    • Original: 59.8′ L × 15.7′ B × 7.7′ D
    • Re-registered: 59′ L × 16′ B × 8′ D
  • Propulsion: Twin 14″ × 16″ steam engines, ~425 hp

Ownership History

  • 1880: Owned by Robert Greenbargh, Cleveland, OH
  • 1883: Renamed Mary Virginia
  • 1887: B.B. Inman, Duluth, MN
  • 1890: S. Wayne & Jay Harstey
  • 1899: Thompson Towing
  • 1903: A new registration in Sarnia, ON under Harold B. Phillips
  • 1930: Acquired by C.S. Boone Dredge & Construction Co., Toronto

Final Disposition & Site Notes

  • 1933: Stripped of machinery and fittings
  • Later Beached: Abandoned in a vessel “boneyard” below the Sunset Hotel, alongside other derelicts (Abercorn, Scobia, Olga, Tecumseth)
  • Pilot House: Removed and relocated to the north pier
  • Wreck Condition: Degraded wooden remains likely visible; site remains marked
  • Buoying: Present; use line to identify location

Dive and Survey Notes

  • Access: Anchor off to dive—do not moor to line
  • Depth: Likely shallow, accessible to wade-in divers
  • Visibility: Variable/deteriorated wreckage; caution for hazards
  • Historical Significance: Example of late 19th-century Great Lakes tugging operations; reflects U.S.–Canada vessel registry and cross-border service

Safety & Advisory

  • Anchoring: Use separate anchor; do not tie into buoy line
  • Buoy: White fender indicates location
  • Wreck Hazards: Sharp timbers, metal remnants
  • Regulation: Check Ontario laws on derelict watercraft
  • Emergency: Call 911; nearest services likely in Sarnia

Resources & Links

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes (BGSU)
  • David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Great Lakes Ships Registry
  • Local sources: Sarnia historical societies and archives

Conclusion

The vessel known as George W. Lormer, later Mary Virginia and Harold B. Phillips, exemplifies 19th-century towboat evolution. Built in Lorain and passing through U.S. and Canadian registry, its remains now lie beached near Sarnia, serving as a historical artifact of Great Lakes tow operations. Though machinery was removed, the hulk and its buoy marker persist as a maritime landmark. Recreational divers and heritage enthusiasts should approach with care, respecting its archaeological and environmental context.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Tags: George W. Lormer, Harold B. Phillips, Great Lakes tug, Sarnia wreck, wooden towboat, vessel boneyard
Categories: Towboat Wrecks, Cross-Border Ships, Abandoned Watercraft
Glossary: Gross tonnage, steam tug, vessel stripping, wreck buoying, derelict vessel, waterworks remains

Let me know if you’d like archival registry scans, ownership documents, dive site mapping, or condition survey prep!

harold-b-phillips-c-95857-george-w-lormer-mary-virginia 1927-03-14 07:48:00