Muscallonge – St. Lawrence River Tug Shipwreck (1936)

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

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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.