Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: James Reid (formerly Protector)
• Type: Steam Tug / Wrecking Tug
• Year Built: 1875
• Builder: Harlan & Hollingsworth
• Dimensions: Length: 117 ft (35.7 m); Beam: 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold: 14.83 ft (4.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage: CAN116398
• Depth at Wreck Site: 23 m / 75 ft
• Location: Georgian Bay, off Britt, Ontario
• Coordinates: 45°42.560'N, 80°43.230'W
• Official Number: C 116398
• Original Owners: Reid Wrecking Company (after Canadian rebuild)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Steam Tug / Wrecking Tug
Originally launched as the Protector in 1875, this steam-powered tug was designed for heavy towing and salvage work. These versatile vessels were essential to the maritime economy of the Great Lakes, capable of handling both towing duties and emergency wrecking or salvage operations. After being rebuilt and re-registered in Canada, she was renamed James Reid, operating under the Reid Wrecking Company.

Description

The James Reid (Protector) had a long career, working as a salvage tug along the eastern Great Lakes and Georgian Bay. On August 25, 1917, while navigating off Britt, Ontario, the vessel struck a submerged reef near Morden Rock. The collision triggered a catastrophic boiler explosion, likely caused by the sudden cooling of the overheated boiler upon contact with cold water during flooding.

The wreck sank quickly, settling in 75 feet (23 metres) of water about 2 miles offshore.

Significant Incidents

• Cause of Loss: Struck submerged reef, triggering boiler explosion.

Final Disposition

• Condition:
• Stern section is largely intact.
• The bow area was heavily damaged by the boiler explosion and subsequent sinking.
• Depth: 21 to 23 metres (70 to 75 feet)
• Water Temperature: Cold, typical of Georgian Bay at depth (often below 10°C / 50°F)

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Depth: 21 to 23 metres (70 to 75 feet)
• Bottom Composition: Rock and sand, with wreckage partially buried in silt
• Structural Integrity:
• Stern largely intact
• Bow destroyed and scattered
• Special Features:
• Large machinery remnants (boiler debris)
• Propeller and rudder still present
• Exposed sections of the hull plating are visible in good visibility

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The James Reid (Protector) offers a compelling mix of history, tragedy, and exploration. The intact stern preserves the story of her working life, while the chaotic debris field of the bow reminds divers of the dangers of steam-powered navigation on the Great Lakes.

For experienced divers, this wreck is both a historical treasure and a technical challenge, offering both photographic rewards and a fascinating glimpse into early salvage operations and Great Lakes engineering.