Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mary Ann (Mary Anna)
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: Likely mid- to late-1870s
- Builder:
- Dimensions: About 6 tons; Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 6 tons
- Location: Approximately 12 miles (19 km) east of Tobermory, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Official Number: Not available
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steam tug designed for towing and harbor assistance along Georgian Bay and Lake Huron coastlines.
Description
A compact wooden-hulled steam tug, registered at just 6 tons, used for local harbor tasks and towing—her small size rendering her vulnerable to open-water gales on Georgian Bay.
History
Operating out of Goderich or potentially Owen Sound, Mary Ann served Lake Huron ports. On 7 September 1882, while east of Tobermory, she was caught in a sudden and violent storm, leading to rapid foundering. Two of her crew perished in the incident; whether the tug was towing at the time remains unclear. The vessel sank in moderate-depth open water, not having reached safe harbor.
Significant Incidents
- 7 September 1882: Caught in a sudden storm, Mary Ann foundered and sank, resulting in the drowning of two crew members.
Final Disposition
The tug fully foundered and sank following storm exposure—no evidence of salvage or recovery; hull presumed lost. The two crew are memorialized in the record of lost life.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern rediscovery or documented wreck site exists. Wreck is absent from dive charts and underwater park listings near Tobermory.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mary-ann-mary-anna” title=”References & Links”]
The loss of Mary Ann on 7 September 1882 exemplifies the vulnerability of small steam tugs to sudden storms on Georgian Bay. Foundering without survivors highlights the magnitude of risk faced even by experienced crews on minor vessels. Her sinking remains undisturbed in deep water beyond Tobermory, absent from today’s dive routes but retained in historical vessel loss records.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →