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

Description

SS Manasoo was originally constructed as the Macassa, a steel-hulled passenger and package freight steamer powered by twin-screw propulsion. She featured two triple-expansion steam engines and a single coal-fired Scotch marine boiler. Designed for service on Lake Ontario and later Georgian Bay, she was capable of achieving speeds near 18 knots under ideal conditions.

The vessel had a slender hull form typical of late 19th-century lake steamers, optimized for passenger comfort and seasonal excursion service. Her original configuration was modified in 1905 with a hull extension to improve passenger capacity, extending the length to approximately 178.4 feet (54.4 m). The upgrade made her suitable for longer regional routes but reduced her transverse stability.

History

Built in Scotland and delivered under her own power across the Atlantic, the vessel entered Canadian service in 1888 as the Macassa under the Hamilton Steamboat Company. She operated on the busy Toronto–Hamilton passenger circuit and expanded into Niagara River ports. Her popularity stemmed from her graceful lines and reliability.

In 1911, she was acquired by the Niagara Navigation Company and later absorbed into Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Co. in 1912. By 1913, she was folded into Canada Steamship Lines, serving in various passenger roles throughout Lake Ontario. A significant rebuild at Collingwood in 1905 extended her hull and modified her tonnage, inadvertently affecting her stability.

In 1927–28, now operated by the Owen Sound Transportation Company and renamed Manasoo, she was refitted for overnight tourist service in Georgian Bay. The upper deck accommodations were widened to full beam, further compromising her center of gravity.

Final Dispositions

On 14 September 1928, Manasoo departed Manitoulin Island with 21 crew, two livestock handlers, and 116 head of cattle. As she passed Griffith Island during the early hours of 15 September, she encountered heavy weather. Improper weight distribution from livestock and retrofitted superstructures led to instability. The vessel took on water, lost power, and capsized stern-first.

Only five survivors were rescued by the steamer Manitoba. The remaining 16 aboard, including livestock, were lost. An inquiry concluded negligence in cargo stowage and vessel management contributed to the disaster. Captain John McKay’s and the first officer’s certificates were cancelled.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was discovered in 2018 by a team including Jerry Eliason, Ken Merryman, and Dan Fountain using side-scan sonar and ROV survey. The vessel was found intact and upright in 210 feet of water near Griffith Island, Georgian Bay. The discovery confirmed details of her final moments, including her intact pilothouse and cargo remains.

Notmars & Advisories

None noted.

Dive Information

Access: Boat only
Entry Point: Georgian Bay; nearest ports Owen Sound or Wiarton
Conditions: Cold water year-round, thermoclines present, occasional currents
Depth Range: 200–215 ft (61–66 m)
Emergency Contacts: Canadian Coast Guard (Great Lakes Region); Grey-Bruce OPP
Permits: Not required for recreational observation; disturbance prohibited
Dive Support: Technical charters operate from Tobermory and Wiarton

Crew & Casualty Memorials

Crew lost: 16 (names available in Canadian transport inquiry archives)
Burial sites: Mixed; some never recovered
Research Links: Find A Grave, Library & Archives Canada

Documented Statements & Extracts

“Improper loading of cattle and lack of stability in the rebuilt steamer were contributing factors… The conduct of the captain and officers was found to be careless and negligent.” — Dominion Wreck Report, October 1928

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

Official Number: 93932
Registered at Hamilton, Ontario
Initial enrollment 1888; transferred through multiple owners (Hamilton Steamboat Co., Niagara Navigation Co., CSL, OSTC)
No insurance payout record located; presumed partial coverage under OSTC fleet policy

Site Documentation & Imaging

3D scans, photogrammetry, and ROV video by 3DShipwrecks.org
National Geographic coverage (2018)
Artifact status: Not salvaged; intact wreck, protected site

Image Gallery

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
• Newspapers.com
• Find A Grave

References

1. “SS Manasoo” – Wikipedia, last updated 2025
2. “Shipwreck Manasoo 2022” – 3DShipwrecks.org
3. Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston – Archive Collection
4. National Geographic, 2018: Discovery of SS Manasoo
5. Scanner, v. 33, no. 8 (May 2001)
6. Dominion Wreck Commission Report, 1928 (Canadian Archives)

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card