Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: M.J. Low
• Type: Wooden Fish Tug
• Year Built: Not documented (likely early to mid-20th century)
• Builder: LOW (local Killarney builder)
• Dimensions: Estimated length between 40 to 50 ft (12 to 15 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: Unknown
• Depth at Wreck Site: 20 m / 65 ft
• Location: Portage Bay, Northwest of Killarney, Georgian Bay
• Coordinates: 45°59.461'N, 81°31.710'W
• Official Number: Unknown
• Original Owners: Not fully documented; presumed to have served local Killarney fishing operators
• Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden Fish Tug

Fish tugs were workhorses of the Great Lakes fishing fleet, specifically designed for commercial fishing operations. Built tough to handle both open water and nearshore conditions, these vessels featured sturdy hulls and powerful engines, originally steam-powered and later often converted to diesel.

The M.J. Low, built locally in Killarney, was part of the lifeblood of the region’s fishing industry, helping deliver fresh fish to market and connecting remote fishing grounds to the local economy.

Description

The M.J. Low was a locally built and operated wooden fish tug, serving the Killarney area’s fishing fleet for years before being scuttled in 1951. Scuttling (deliberate sinking) was a common practice when vessels outlived their usefulness — instead of scrapping, they were sunk in sheltered bays where they often became accidental dive sites or artificial reefs.

Portage Bay, where the M.J. Low rests today, was a natural choice for her final resting place — close to Killarney, accessible to local boats, and protected from the open water of Georgian Bay.

History

The M.J. Low was a locally built and operated wooden fish tug, serving the Killarney area’s fishing fleet for years before being scuttled in 1951. Scuttling (deliberate sinking) was a common practice when vessels outlived their usefulness — instead of scrapping, they were sunk in sheltered bays where they often became accidental dive sites or artificial reefs.

Portage Bay, where the M.J. Low rests today, was a natural choice for her final resting place — close to Killarney, accessible to local boats, and protected from the open water of Georgian Bay.

Significant Incidents

• This site has been known to local divers for decades, but no formal archaeological discovery record exists.
• First documented in local diver logs in the late 1980s.
• The site was re-surveyed and GPS-positioned by regional dive clubs in the early 2000s.

Final Disposition

• Year Scuttled: 1951
• Method: Deliberate scuttling
• Reason: End of service life
• Current Condition:
• Mostly intact hull
• Sits almost upright on the bottom
• Wheelhouse, boiler, and steam engine are still visible — remarkable survivals after 70+ years underwater

Current Condition & Accessibility

The M.J. Low lies in 20 metres (65 feet) of fresh water, making her an excellent intermediate to advanced dive. While the wreck is relatively shallow by technical standards, visibility in Portage Bay can vary, and temperatures at depth can be chilly.

Key site features include:

• Intact sections of the wooden hull
• The wheelhouse is partially collapsed but recognizable
• The boiler and steam engine remain visible and are highlights for photographers and wreck historians

Resources & Links

The M.J. Low is a classic example of Great Lakes fishing heritage, preserved almost accidentally by her 1951 scuttling. Today, she’s a beautifully accessible mid-depth dive, combining historical interest with photographic opportunities thanks to her exposed machinery and recognizable wheelhouse.

For divers visiting the Killarney area, she’s an essential stop — a chance to dive into the working history of Georgian Bay’s fishing fleet.