Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: James Buckley
- Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: J. Prescott, Prescott, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 48 ft (14.63 m); Beam: 10 ft; Depth of hold: 3 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 10 tons
- Location: Port Stanley Harbor, Lake Erie, Ontario
- Official Number: 80910
- Original Owners: Brown Bros. (1882), Ainsley & Tibbets (1886)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
VESSEL IDENTIFICATION & DETAILS
Description
The James Buckley served primarily as a small steam tug on the Great Lakes. Despite its modest size, it played a vital role in towing and assisting larger vessels in busy ports like Port Dover and Port Stanley, Ontario.
History
Ownership Timeline:
- 1882: Owned by Brown Bros., likely operating in towing or small freight services.
- 1886: Ownership transferred to Ainsley & Tibbets of Port Dover, Ontario.
Significant Incidents
FINAL INCIDENT
- Date: November 20, 1890
- Location: Port Stanley Harbor, Lake Erie, Ontario
- Cause: Fire
- The vessel caught fire while in harbor and was completely destroyed.
- The origin of the fire is not documented.
- Outcome:
- The James Buckley was declared a total loss.
- No records are available regarding loss of life or any cargo being carried at the time.
Final Disposition
The destruction of the James Buckley serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of wooden vessels to fire, a common hazard in the 19th century. Despite its small size and localized operations, the tug was a key component of the maritime infrastructure, aiding the commerce and transportation networks of the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
POTENTIAL WRECK INFORMATION
- Wreck Location: Likely within the harbor of Port Stanley, Ontario.
- Depth: Not specified but likely shallow due to its location in harbor waters.
Current Condition: Given its destruction by fire, remnants would primarily consist of charred timbers and possibly parts of the steam engine.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”james-buckley-c-80910″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As divers, remember to respect the site and its history. Leave only bubbles, take only memories, and consider removing any garbage to leave the site better than you found it.
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.
VESSEL IDENTIFICATION & DETAILS
- Name: James Buckley
- Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
- Official Number: 80910
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: J. Prescott, Prescott, Ontario
- Dimensions:
- Length: 48 feet
- Beam (Width): 10 feet
- Depth: 3 feet
- Gross Tonnage: 10 tons
- Net Tonnage: 7 tons
- Engine: High-pressure steam engine, 25 horsepower
HISTORY
The James Buckley served primarily as a small steam tug on the Great Lakes. Despite its modest size, it played a vital role in towing and assisting larger vessels in busy ports like Port Dover and Port Stanley, Ontario.
Ownership Timeline:
- 1882: Owned by Brown Bros., likely operating in towing or small freight services.
- 1886: Ownership transferred to Ainsley & Tibbets of Port Dover, Ontario.
FINAL INCIDENT
- Date: November 20, 1890
- Location: Port Stanley Harbor, Lake Erie, Ontario
- Cause: Fire
- The vessel caught fire while in harbor and was completely destroyed.
- The origin of the fire is not documented.
- Outcome:
- The James Buckley was declared a total loss.
- No records are available regarding loss of life or any cargo being carried at the time.
SIGNIFICANCE
The destruction of the James Buckley serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of wooden vessels to fire, a common hazard in the 19th century. Despite its small size and localized operations, the tug was a key component of the maritime infrastructure, aiding the commerce and transportation networks of the Great Lakes.
POTENTIAL WRECK INFORMATION
- •Wreck Location: Likely within the harbor of Port Stanley, Ontario.
- Depth: Not specified but likely shallow due to its location in harbor waters.
• Current Condition: Given its destruction by fire, remnants would primarily consist of charred timbers and possibly parts of the steam engine.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Marine Museum of the Great Lakes – Mills List
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships