Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: John Bright
• Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
• Year Built: 1869
• Builder: George N. Notter
• Dimensions: Length: 54 ft (16.5 m); Beam: 13 ft (4 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 30 gross tons, 14 net tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 1.8 m / 6 ft
• Location: Belleville, Ontario
• Official Number: Unknown
• Original Owners: Wm. Jones of Belleville, Ontario, and others

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The John Bright was a wooden propeller steam tug built in 1869 for harbour towing and utility service on the Great Lakes. With compact dimensions and robust build, it exemplified the typical steam tug design of its time — crucial for towing larger vessels, especially in smaller harbours and narrow channels.

Description

The John Bright was constructed in Buffalo and promptly entered Canadian service, with Wm. Jones of Belleville, Ontario, listed as its first owner. The tug passed through the hands of several owners over its working life, including operators in Morrisburg and Brockville.

On October 9, 1879, the vessel was destroyed by fire while laid up in Belleville. The blaze was believed to be arson-related, and the damage totalled an estimated $6,000 — a significant loss at the time.

Despite the fire, the John Bright may not have ended her service. In August 1880, the charred hull was raised and transported to Mill Point (now Deseronto), where it may have been rebuilt and re-registered as the Nellie Cuthbert. While the transformation is not definitively proven, maritime historians consider it a strong likelihood.

History

Destroyed by fire in Belleville on October 9, 1879. Raised and possibly rebuilt in 1880 as Nellie Cuthbert.

Significant Incidents

• October 9, 1879: Destroyed by fire in Belleville, Ontario, believed to be arson-related.

Final Disposition

The original John Bright no longer exists in its original form. No wreck remains have been identified, and any remnants would have been disturbed or lost during the rebuilding process in Deseronto.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The original John Bright no longer exists in its original form. No wreck remains have been identified, and any remnants would have been disturbed or lost during the rebuilding process in Deseronto.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The John Bright represents the class of small but critical support vessels that operated on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Though her career ended in fire, she may have continued life under a new name, a common practice in an era of maritime salvage and reuse. Her story bridges the line between destruction and renewal, offering insight into the resilience of working lake vessels.