Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Julian V. O’Brien
- Type: Wooden screw-propelled tugboat
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Company
- Dimensions: 68.4 ft (20.8 m) length × 17.4 ft beam × 8.3 ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: 58 gross / 29 net tons
- Location: Port Arthur, Lake Superior (now Thunder Bay, ON)
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates undetermined
- Official Number: 76,755
- Original Owners: N. Holland, A. A. Wright, H. G. & L. Company, Port Arthur Construction Co.
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Julian V. O’Brien is classified as a wooden screw-propelled tugboat, designed for towing and construction operations in the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1888, the Julian V. O’Brien was a wooden tugboat that underwent multiple rebuilds and machinery upgrades throughout its operational life. Originally powered by a compound steam engine, it was adapted for various commercial tow operations.
History
The vessel was completed by the Union Dry Dock Company in Buffalo, New York. It was rebuilt in 1892 and underwent several ownership changes, with notable upgrades in 1907 that included a new engine and boiler. It served primarily as a construction and service tug.
Significant Incidents
- 1936: Officially removed from registry and scuttled after abandonment.
Final Disposition
After being removed from the registry in 1936, the hull was towed out of Port Arthur harbor and scuttled under contract with the Dominion government. No hull remnants have been recorded, as scuttling typically occurred offshore to clear harbor space.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The exact location of the wreck is undetermined, but it is believed to be offshore in the planning basin near Port Arthur (Thunder Bay). The site condition is likely highly degraded, with potential remains consisting of iron and wood fragments buried in lake sediment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”julian-v-obrien-us-76755″ title=”References & Links”]
The Julian V. O’Brien represents a significant piece of maritime history, reflecting the evolution of steam technology in the Great Lakes. Its scuttling in 1936 cleared valuable harbor space, yet the wreck remains undocumented, presenting opportunities for future archaeological investigation.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Built: 1888 at Buffalo, New York by the Union Dry Dock Company
- Official Number: 76,755
- Type: Wooden screw-propelled tugboat
- Dimensions: 68.4 ft length × 17.4 ft beam × 8.3 ft depth
- Tonnage: 58 gross / 29 net tons
- Final Location: Port Arthur, Lake Superior (now Thunder Bay, ON)
- Loss Date: 1936 — scuttled after registry abandonment
Propulsion & Machinery
- Propulsion: Single screw (propeller)
- Engine: Originally compound steam powered; exact cylinder dimensions not recorded
Construction & Ownership Timeline
- 1888: Completed by Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo
- 1892: Rebuilt to ~70 × 16.5 × 8.2 ft; 59 gross / 31 net
- 1899: Ownership records show N. Holland, then A. A. Wright of Collingwood, ON (Registry C103580)
- 1902: Transferred to H. G. & L. Company, Collingwood (59 gross tons)
- 1907: Further rebuild with notable engine upgrade — a John Doty & Sons steeple compound engine (14″ × 28″ × 22″) and a 7’8″ × 12′ firebox boiler at 133 psi; moved to Port Arthur Construction Co., home port Collingwood
- 1921: Continued operations under Port Arthur Construction Co.
Operational Role & History
- Functioned as a construction and service tug throughout its active life in the Great Lakes region
- Its multiple rebuilds and machinery upgrades indicate ongoing utility and adaptability in commercial tow operations
Final Disposition
- 1936: After being officially removed from registry, the hull was towed out of Port Arthur harbor and scuttled under contract with the Dominion government
- No hull remnants recorded — typically such scuttling was carried out offshore to clear harbor
Site Status & Archaeology
- Location: Offshore planning basin near Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Lake Superior — exact coordinates undetermined
- Survey History: No records found of remote-sensing or dive investigations; wreck likely deteriorated with scrap removed during scuttling
- Site Condition: Potential remains are highly degraded iron/wood fragments partly buried in lake sediment
Research Gaps & Suggested Next Steps
- Registry & ownership validation: Confirm with Transport Canada (pre-1910 registry) and NARA RG 26 for official enrollment and licensing.
- Scuttling contract and harbormaster logs (1936): Could yield sinking location and scuttling rationale.
- Survey logs: Inspect archives of the Lakehead Port Authority for historical salvage or harbor-deepening records.
- Environmental impact documents: Federal Dominion records may mention site surveys post-scuttling to assure navigational safety.
- Remote-sensing survey: Ideal first step—side-scan sonar or magnetometer survey near Port Arthur’s old dock basins.
Conclusion
The Julian V. O’Brien reflects a late-19th century wooden tug with vigorous service life—including multiple rebuilds and machinery enhancements reflective of evolving steam technology on the Great Lakes. Its ultimate removal and scuttling in 1936, under government contract, likely cleared valuable harbor space in Port Arthur. Despite its significance to commercial towage history, the wreck remains undocumented—presenting a valuable candidate for maritime archaeological investigation.
If you’d like, I can assist in drafting archival search requests, contacting Transport Canada or the Lakehead Port Authority, or planning a preliminary remote survey in Lake Superior.
Keywords: Wooden screw tug, compound engine, multiple rebuilds, Port Arthur scuttling, 1936, Great Lakes towboat, maritime archaeology.
julian-v-obrien-us-76755 1936-07-19 00:19:00