Marion – Lake Erie Tug Shipwreck (1943)

Explore the wreck of the Marion, a wooden propeller tug that tragically exploded in 1943, resulting in the loss of three crew members.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Marion
  • Type: Propeller tug (wooden)
  • Year Built: 1935
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: Approximately 5 tons gross
  • Location: Approximately 1 mile WSW of Port Burwell, Ontario
  • Official Number: C158604
  • Original Owners: Not clearly documented; presumed Canadian registry
  • Number of Masts: Two-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden propeller tug, primarily used for harbour and nearshore towing services.

Description

The Marion, also referred to as Marjon S or Marion S, was a wooden tugboat registered as C158604. It was built or acquired around 1935 and operated out of Port Dover, Ontario.

History

On 29 April 1943, the Marion suffered a catastrophic explosion while in operation, leading to a fire that resulted in the total destruction of the vessel. All three crew members aboard perished in the incident.

Significant Incidents

  • Type of Loss: Catastrophic explosion, followed by fire and rapid total destruction.
  • Timeline: On 29 April 1943, the Marion experienced an onboard explosion that ignited a fire, resulting in total loss of the vessel and the deaths of all aboard.
  • Conditions: Specific operational conditions are not recorded; no cargo or hazardous material was listed.

Final Disposition

The vessel was destroyed by fire resulting from the explosion, and no salvage operations were noted. Her registry was closed post-loss, and the wreck location is presumed but not formally documented or surveyed.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Likely submerged remains near the explosion site; there is no record of its discovery or documentation in modern dive archives. The precise depth is unknown, and accessibility is not recognized as a dive site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”marion-c-158604″ title=”References & Links”]

In summary, the Marion tragically exploded on 29 April 1943, leading to the loss of all three crew members. Further research into Canadian records or local newspapers from the time may provide additional insights into her construction, ownership, and the cause of her loss.

🔒

Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.

Join Shotline to read more →