Maplegulf (Pawnee)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Maplegulf (formerly Pawnee)
• Type: Wooden Steam Barge
• Year Built: 1888
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length: 174 ft (53 m); Beam: Not specified; Depth of hold: Not specified
• Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 639.9 tons (US) / 621 tons (Canadian); Net Tonnage: 475.02 tons (US) / 453 tons (Canadian)
• Location: Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: Not specified
• Original Owners: Toledo and Saginaw Transportation Co.; Canada Steamship Lines

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The MAPLEGULF was originally constructed as the PAWNEE, a wooden steam barge designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes. The vessel featured advanced structural reinforcements for its time, including a well deck, steel arches, and a reinforced bow to protect against ice. Powered by an 80-horsepower compound steeple engine, it was well-suited for navigating the often challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.

Description

The MAPLEGULF, originally named PAWNEE, was a wooden steam barge built in 1888 in Marine City, Michigan. It was designed for transporting bulk cargo across the Great Lakes and featured innovative structural reinforcements for its time. The vessel was powered by an 80 HP compound steeple engine, allowing it to navigate the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

History

Early Years (1888-1900)
Built in Marine City, Michigan, and launched in 1888, the PAWNEE entered service in 1889 under the ownership of the Toledo and Saginaw Transportation Co. Shortly after its launch, it was sold to Curtis and Brainerd of Toledo, Ohio. In 1900, the vessel ran aground on Gull Island Reef while towing three barges, two of which—J.R. EDWARDS and MINNIE E. ORTON—were later acquired by the Montreal Transportation Co.

Continued Service (1901-1920)
Extensive repairs were carried out in 1910 to maintain the vessel’s seaworthiness. In 1919, the PAWNEE was acquired by Canada Steamship Lines, reportedly through the Montreal Transportation Co. or H. McMorran of Michigan. The vessel was renamed MAPLEGULF in 1920 and continued operations under Canada Steamship Lines, becoming a key component of the company’s Great Lakes shipping fleet.

Significant Incidents

• 1900: The vessel ran aground on Gull Island Reef while towing three barges.
• 1920: The MAPLEGULF experienced structural failure during a severe storm on Lake Ontario, leading to its wreck.

Final Disposition

Date of Loss: November 15, 1920
Cause of Loss: Structural failure during a storm
Crew: Not specified
Salvage Operations: The vessel was scrapped following the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the MAPLEGULF is confirmed, but specific details regarding its current condition and accessibility are not available.

Resources & Links

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The MAPLEGULF, first known as the PAWNEE, exemplifies the challenges of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Constructed with innovative features for its time, the vessel had a service life marked by both utility and peril. Its catastrophic structural failure during a 1920 storm underscores the dangers faced by mariners navigating these vast inland seas. Though the ship’s physical remains have been lost to time, its story persists as part of the rich maritime history of Lake Ontario.