Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Iroquois
- Type: Excursion Vessel
- Year Built: 1907
- Builder: South Portage, Ontario
- Dimensions: 118.5 ft (36.1 m); Beam: 23 ft; Depth of hold: 7.5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 307 gross; 198 net
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.3 m / 7.5 ft
- Location: South Portage, Ontario
- Coordinates: 45.3178688, -79.0713504
- Official Number: 116850
- Original Owners: Huntsville & Lake of Bays Navigation Company
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steamer
Description
The Iroquois was a wooden excursion vessel with a steel frame, measuring 118.5 feet in length, 23 feet in beam, and 7.5 feet in depth. It was equipped with a screw propulsion system and had two decks.
History
The steel frame of the Iroquois arrived in March 1907 by rail and was transported by sleigh to South Portage, where it was fitted out by local carpenters. More than 500 spectators attended its launch on July 22, 1907. The vessel was owned by the Huntsville & Lake of Bays Navigation Company and was licensed to carry 340 passengers by 1914.
Shortly after the Iroquois was launched, C.O. Shaw, the general manager of the Anglo-Canadian Leather Company in Huntsville, put crews to work refitting another vessel, the Florence Main. He extended the hull by three feet, added a second deck, and renamed the ship the Mohawk Belle. In 1913, the Mohawk Belle was lengthened again and completely rebuilt with a steel hull.
In 1945-46, the Mohawk Belle was sold to the owners of Bigwin Inn. Unfortunately, in the winter of 1949, the boat filled with water at drydock at the rear of Bigwin Island and sank, remaining there until 1999 when its remnants were removed.
As for the Iroquois, by December 1949, it had been retired and sank at the South Portage dock, where its hull remains to this day. The Iroquois had been a staple on the lake, with its daily schedule often marking the time of day for local residents. The steamer would pass by around 11:00 a.m. on its way from Dwight to Dorset, where it typically berthed at night, and would return up the lake around 3:00 p.m. Residents would signal the vessel with a flag if passengers or mail needed to be picked up.
The Iroquois was part of a larger fleet of steamboats working Lake of Bays, which, under the control of C.O. Shaw after the death of Captain March in 1906, helped meet the increasing demand for summer vacation accommodations around the lake. This growth led to the opening of various family-run hotels, especially in Dwight and along Lake of Bays Lane.
Significant Incidents
- Launched on July 22, 1907.
- Licensed to carry 340 passengers by 1914.
- Abandoned and sunk at the South Portage dock in December 1949.
Final Disposition
The Iroquois remains submerged at the South Portage dock, serving as a historical site for divers and maritime enthusiasts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Iroquois is accessible for diving, providing an opportunity for underwater exploration while adhering to the principle of ‘leave only bubbles, take only memories’. Divers are encouraged to document the site without disturbing the wreck or its surroundings.
Resources & Links
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The Iroquois is a significant piece of maritime history in the Lake of Bays area, representing the era of excursion vessels that once thrived in the region. Divers visiting the site can appreciate its historical context while contributing to the preservation of underwater heritage.
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