Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Ann
- Type: Wooden-hulled tugboat
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Stromness (near Dunnville), Ontario
- Dimensions: ~78 ft length; ~15 ft beam; approx. 57 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 57 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 21 m / 70 ft
- Location: Off the Welcome Islands, Thunder Bay–Lake Superior
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled tugboat.
Description
Description
The Mary Ann, also known as Mary Ann of Dunnville, was built in 1867 and is significant as one of the first vessels registered under Canada’s Confederation registry. The tugboat features a wooden hull and has been rediscovered in remarkably well-preserved condition.
History
History
After its construction, the Mary Ann operated around Lake Erie, assisting ships in docking and towing. It was later transferred to Lake Superior, where it was based near Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay) and served various roles, including recreational excursions and logging support.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- The tug was intentionally scuttled near the Welcome Islands close to Thunder Bay, Lake Superior.
- Local divers rediscovered the hull in remarkably well-preserved condition at a depth of around 55–70 ft.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Mary Ann was scuttled intentionally, and its remains are intact, providing valuable archaeological insights into early tug design and vessel preservation in freshwater environments.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located at a depth of 55–70 ft and is remarkably preserved in clear, zebra-mussel-free freshwater. The wooden hull, cabin fixtures, structural fittings, and other period artifacts remain intact.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-ann-mary-ann-of-dunnville-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The Mary Ann embodies a unique blend of maritime and national history, representing early Canadian industrial craftsmanship and contributing to both economic and recreational maritime activity. Its preservation offers rare insights into 19th-century tug architecture and freshwater archaeological contexts.
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.
Identification & Construction
- Name: Mary Ann (also referenced as Mary Ann of Dunnville)
- Built: 1867, Stromness (near Dunnville), Ontario
- Type: Wooden-hulled tugboat
- Dimensions: ~78 ft length; ~15 ft beam; approx. 57 tons
- Significance: Registered in 1867 as one of the first vessels under Canada’s 1867 Confederation registry (Duluth News Tribune, TBNewsWatch.com)
Operational History
- After construction, Mary Ann operated around Lake Erie, likely assisting ships in docking and towing. Later transferred to Lake Superior and based near Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay), where she served under various roles, including recreational excursions and logging support (Duluth News Tribune).
Fate & Wreck
- The tug was intentionally scuttled (sunk) near the Welcome Islands close to Thunder Bay, Lake Superior.
- Local divers rediscovered her hull in remarkably well-preserved condition at around 55–70 ft depth in Lake Superior (TBNewsWatch.com).
Wreck Site & Condition
- Location: Off the Welcome Islands, Thunder Bay–Lake Superior
- Depth: 55–70 ft
- Remains: Wooden hull, cabin fixtures, structural fittings, and other period artifacts are intact—remarkably preserved in clear, zebra‑mussel‑free freshwater (TBNewsWatch.com).
- Archaeological Value: As one of the earliest registered Canadian vessels, Mary Ann offers vital insight into early tug design, vessel transition post-Confederation, and freshwater wreck preservation.
Sources & References
- TBNewsWatch report (2013) recounting the 2012 rediscovery by divers Robert Valley and David Shepherd, confirming historical identity and preservation (TBNewsWatch.com).
- Duluth News Tribune details on the vessel’s history, location, and significance as Canada’s first federally registered ship (Duluth News Tribune).
Research Opportunities & Action Plan
| Research Aspect | Next Steps |
|---|---|
| Archival Documentation | Locate 1867 registry entries and official registration papers in Canadian national archives. |
| Ownership & Operation Records | Trace vessel use between Lake Erie and Superior, including owners like Lachlan McCallum and usage logs. |
| Site Survey & Preservation | Use photogrammetry, videogrammetry, and condition mapping to document hull and artifacts. |
| Heritage Conservation | Coordinate with Ontario Heritage or Thunder Bay regional authorities to protect site under the Ontario Heritage Act. |
| Public Engagement | Develop interpretive materials for divers and historians, highlighting Mary Ann‘s national significance. |
Significance & Conclusion
Tug Mary Ann embodies a unique blend of maritime and national history: built just at Confederation, representing early Canadian industrial craftsmanship, and later contributors to both economic and recreational maritime activity. Its exceptional preservation offers rare insight into 19th-century tug architecture and freshwater archaeological contexts. A formal study could advance understanding of Canadian maritime heritage and support heritage tourism potential around Thunder Bay.
mary-ann-mary-ann-of-dunnville-1867 2012-07-20 16:01:00