Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Muscallonge
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1896
- Builder: Jenks Shipbuilding Co., Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 128 ft (39 m); Beam 24.42 ft; Depth of hold 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 372.09 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
- Location: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Brockville, Ontario, Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River
- Official Number: C133752
- Original Owners: Sincennes MacNaughton Line Ltd.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled single-screw steam tugboat designed for heavy towing duties. Initially built for American service as Vigilant, later transferred to Canadian registry and renamed Muscallonge in 1913. Served in both commercial and industrial capacities, especially in towing petroleum products.
Description
A robust fire-tube boiler-powered tug, Muscallonge was constructed using hardwoods typical of late 19th-century tugboats. Her propulsion system was suited for hauling large oil barges like the Bruce Hudson. The vessel had a high fuel-carrying capacity, essential for long-distance tows between Montreal and Toronto.
History
Muscallonge started service as Vigilant in 1896 under American registry. She changed ownership multiple times, including H.N. Loud & Sons, Great Lakes Towing Co., and Norton Griffiths Dredging Co. In 1913, the tug was reflagged as Canadian and renamed Muscallonge. By the 1930s, she was owned by Sincennes MacNaughton Line Ltd.
She gained a reputation for reliable heavy oil transport and frequently towed crude barges along the St. Lawrence corridor.
Significant Incidents
- August 15, 1936: While towing the oil barge Bruce Hudson, a fire broke out, likely in the boiler room. Captain S. Ahearn ran the vessel aground near Brockville to allow crew escape. Despite the fire department’s response, the blaze intensified, igniting fuel bunkers. A violent explosion followed at 5:30 AM, destroying the vessel down to the waterline. She sank at that location. All 11 crew survived.
Final Disposition
The wreck is known and frequently visited by recreational and technical divers, though no formal rediscovery or survey expedition is noted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is accessible and unbuoyed, but caution is advised due to shallow currents and poor visibility.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”muscallonge-c133752-vigilant” title=”References & Links”]
The Muscallonge stands as one of the St. Lawrence River’s most historically significant tugwrecks. Her fiery demise and complete crew survival exemplify the dual narratives of maritime risk and resilience. She remains a compelling site for historical diving and regional heritage interpretation.
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
- Name(s): Muscallonge, formerly Vigilant
- Registration number(s): C133752 (Canadian registry)
- Year built and launched: 1896
- Builder: Jenks Shipbuilding Co., Port Huron, Michigan
- Vessel measurements:
- Length: 39 m (128 ft)
- Beam: 7.4 m (24.42 ft)
- Depth: 3.7 m (12 ft)
- Gross tonnage: 372.09 tons
- Net tonnage: 253.03 tons
- Date lost: August 15, 1936
- Location: 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Brockville, Ontario, Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled single-screw steam tugboat designed for heavy towing duties. Initially built for American service as Vigilant, later transferred to Canadian registry and renamed Muscallonge in 1913. Served in both commercial and industrial capacities, especially in towing petroleum products.
Description
A robust fire-tube boiler-powered tug, Muscallonge was constructed using hardwoods typical of late 19th-century tugboats. Her propulsion system was suited for hauling large oil barges like the Bruce Hudson. The vessel had a high fuel-carrying capacity, essential for long-distance tows between Montreal and Toronto.
History
Muscallonge started service as Vigilant in 1896 under American registry. She changed ownership multiple times, including H.N. Loud & Sons, Great Lakes Towing Co., and Norton Griffiths Dredging Co. In 1913, the tug was reflagged as Canadian and renamed Muscallonge. By the 1930s, she was owned by Sincennes MacNaughton Line Ltd.
She gained a reputation for reliable heavy oil transport and frequently towed crude barges along the St. Lawrence corridor.
Final Disposition
In the early hours of August 15, 1936, while towing the oil barge Bruce Hudson, a fire broke out—likely in the boiler room. Captain S. Ahearn ran the vessel aground near Brockville to allow crew escape. Despite the fire department’s response, the blaze intensified, igniting fuel bunkers. A violent explosion followed at 5:30 AM, destroying the vessel down to the waterline. She sank at that location. All 11 crew survived.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck is known and frequently visited by recreational and technical divers, though no formal rediscovery or survey expedition is noted.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted. The wreck is accessible and unbuoyed, but caution is advised due to shallow currents and poor visibility.
Resources & Links
- Ottawa Divers Blog
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (WordPress)
- Bottom Time Charters
- Dive Brockville Adventure Centre
- Shotline Diving Ship Files
- Wikipedia – 1936 Shipwrecks
Shore Dive Information
- Shore Access Location: Not shore-accessible; reachable via boat charter from Brockville
- Entry Type: Boat dive only
- Depth Range: Approx. 6–12 m (20–40 ft)
- Current & Conditions: Mild to moderate current; moderate visibility; best in late summer/fall
- Points of Interest: Fire-scarred boiler, collapsed hull, anchor gear
- Skill Level: Intermediate to advanced (depth + currents)
- Safety & Emergency Info:
- Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Ottawa Civic Hospital
- Coast Guard: Marine Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Trenton
- 911 (Canada)
- Local Regulations: No permit required; avoid artifact removal
- Best Time to Dive: July through October
- Driving Directions: Google Maps, Apple Maps
- Additional Resources: Dive Brockville Adventure Centre, SOS Leeds & Grenville Chapter
Conclusion
The Muscallonge stands as one of the St. Lawrence River’s most historically significant tugwrecks. Her fiery demise and complete crew survival exemplify the dual narratives of maritime risk and resilience. She remains a compelling site for historical diving and regional heritage interpretation.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Tugboat, wooden hull, St. Lawrence River, oil transport, fire explosion, Brockville, 1936 wreck, technical dive, Canadian registry, shipwreck dive, maritime disaster, steam propulsion.