Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lakeside (later Joseph L. Russell)
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: William Lane
- Dimensions: 121 ft (36.9 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 9.3 ft (2.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Point Petre, near Cobourg, Ontario
- Official Number: C 90778
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally a wooden excursion steamer, later converted into a tugboat.
Description
The Lakeside began her career as an excursion steamer, renowned for leisurely tours across the Great Lakes, connecting cities and fostering tourism. Built by William Lane, the vessel was powered by a Kerr Brothers engine producing 240 horsepower. She was a favourite on scenic routes from Toronto to Port Dalhousie and Cleveland to Detroit, serving the bustling tourist trade of the late 19th century.
However, her career took a utilitarian turn after an incident in 1905 when she sank at dock in Port Dalhousie. By 1920, she was repurposed as a tugboat, renamed the Joseph L. Russell, reflecting the growing demand for industrial and towing operations on the Great Lakes.
History
On her final journey, while towing the barge Augustus from Montreal to Toronto, the Joseph L. Russell succumbed to a gale off Point Petre near Cobourg, Ontario. Despite the loss of the vessel, the crew was saved by the S.S. Glenella.
Significant Incidents
- Sank at dock in Port Dalhousie in 1905.
- Lost in a gale on November 15, 1929, while towing the barge Augustus.
Final Disposition
No explicit discovery date is mentioned in available records. Dive and maritime records may provide additional leads on her current condition under Lake Ontario’s waters.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck’s proximity to Point Petre makes it a dive site of interest. Conditions in Lake Ontario can be challenging with variable temperatures and visibility. The site is not marked explicitly for navigational hazards; further research is needed for precise GPS coordinates.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”joesph-l-russell-lakeside-c-90778″ title=”References & Links”]
The Lakeside represents a fascinating chapter of maritime evolution, transitioning from a leisure vessel to an industrial workhorse before finding her resting place under Lake Ontario. Her legacy, marked by adaptability and resilience, continues to captivate maritime historians and divers.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →