Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Norman P. Clement
- Type: Steel Propeller Bulk Carrier; later converted to Oil-fired Sulfuric Acid Tanker
- Year Built: 1924
- Builder: J. S. White & Co., Ltd., Cowes, Isle of Wight, England
- Dimensions: Length: 252 ft (76.8 m); Beam: 43 ft (13.1 m); Depth: 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 1,729 tons; Net: 1,112 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 107 m / 350 ft
- Location: Off Christian Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Approximate; in 350 ft (107 m) of water
- Official Number: Canada #146255
- Original Owners: Eastern Steamship Ltd.; Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd.; Tank Truck Transport Ltd.; Chembarge Ltd.
- Number of Masts: Not documented
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Norman P. Clement was originally built as a steel-hulled bulk freighter in 1924, designed for carrying dry cargo such as grain or ore. In 1962, she was retrofitted by Chemical Valley Fabricating Co., Ltd. into an oil-fired sulfuric acid tanker, significantly altering her cargo systems and raising operational hazards.
Description
The Norman P. Clement was built as a steel-hulled bulk freighter in 1924, designed for carrying dry cargo such as grain or ore. In 1962, she was retrofitted by Chemical Valley Fabricating Co., Ltd. (Point Edward, Ontario) into an oil-fired sulfuric acid tanker—one of the few such conversions in the Great Lakes—significantly altering her cargo systems and raising operational hazards.
History
After her launch in 1924, the vessel served nearly four decades transporting bulk goods under Eastern Steamship Ltd. and later Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. She was vital to Great Lakes industrial supply chains during mid-century.
In the early 1960s, the conversion to an acid tanker was undertaken by Chemical Valley Fabricating Co., and thereafter she operated under chemical transport companies including Tank Truck Transport Ltd. and Chembarge Ltd. Records indicate she carried sulfuric acid across the lakes, serving niche but vital industrial routes.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding on 7 October 1968 near Britt, Ontario, resulting in hull damage.
- Explosion during repairs on 10 October 1968, injuring 11 workers but causing no fatalities.
- Scuttling on 23 October 1968 off Christian Island due to irreparable damage.
Final Disposition
On 7 October 1968, the vessel strayed aground near Britt, Ontario, resulting in hull damage. Refloated, she was taken to Collingwood Shipyards for repairs. During dry dock work on 10 October 1968, an explosion—likely from lingering acid gases—injured 11 workers but caused no fatalities. The vessel was declared beyond repair. On 23 October 1968, she was towed by the tug Dana T. Bowen and deliberately scuttled off Christian Island into 350 ft of water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The site was created by the scuttling event itself; it was never ‘discovered’ after wreckage but known from records. No subsequent photographic or diving rediscovery has been documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”norman-p-clement-c-146255-william-h-reid” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
No crew fatalities were recorded, and no memorials appear to exist. Detailed crew lists or individual biographical data are not currently available—further investigation via union or registry archives recommended.
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 Card (Site Style)
Other Names: William H. Reid (proposed, never registered)
Official Number: Canada #146255
Registry: Canada
Vessel Type: Steel Propeller Bulk Carrier; later converted to Oil‑fired Sulfuric Acid Tanker
Builder: J. S. White & Co., Ltd., Cowes, Isle of Wight, England
Year Built: 1924 (keel laid 1923—record indicates commissioning year 1924)
Dimensions: Length: 252 ft (76.8 m); Beam: 43 ft (13.1 m); Depth: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Tonnage: Gross: 1,729 tons; Net: 1,112 tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown (likely minimal or none post-grounding)—further detail unavailable
Date of Loss: Grounding: 7 October 1968; Explosion: 10 October 1968; Scuttling: 23 October 1968 :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Location: Off Christian Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
Coordinates: Approximate; in 350 ft (107 m) of water—precise coordinates not recorded :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Depth: 350 ft (107 m) at wreck site :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Home Port: Likely Port Colborne, Ontario, under Eastern Steamship Ltd.; exact home port unverified
Owners: Eastern Steamship Ltd.; Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. Ltd.; Tank Truck Transport Ltd.; Chembarge Ltd.
Crew: Number aboard at time of explosion not documented; requires archival crew lists
Casualties: No fatalities reported; 11 injured in explosion :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Description
The **Norman P. Clement** was built as a steel‑hulled bulk freighter in 1924, designed for carrying dry cargo such as grain or ore. In 1962, she was retrofitted by Chemical Valley Fabricating Co., Ltd. (Point Edward, Ontario) into an oil-fired sulfuric acid tanker—one of the few such conversions in the Great Lakes—significantly altering her cargo systems and raising operational hazards.
History
After her launch in 1924, the vessel served nearly four decades transporting bulk goods under Eastern Steamship Ltd. and later Upper Lakes & St. Lawrence Transportation Co. She was vital to Great Lakes industrial supply chains during mid‑century.
In the early 1960s, the conversion to an acid tanker was undertaken by Chemical Valley Fabricating Co., and thereafter she operated under chemical transport companies including Tank Truck Transport Ltd. and Chembarge Ltd. Records indicate she carried sulfuric acid across the lakes, serving niche but vital industrial routes.
Final Dispositions
On **7 October 1968**, the vessel strayed aground near Britt, Ontario, resulting in hull damage. Refloated, she was taken to Collingwood Shipyards for repairs. During dry dock work on **10 October 1968**, an explosion—likely from lingering acid gases—injured 11 workers but caused no fatalities. The vessel was declared beyond repair. On **23 October 1968**, she was towed by the tug *Dana T. Bowen* and deliberately scuttled off Christian Island into 350 ft of water—a sinking now documented in the lead image :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Located By & Date Found
The site was created by the scuttling event itself; it was never “discovered” after wreckage but known from records. No subsequent photographic or diving rediscovery has been documented.
Notmars & Advisories
No Notices to Mariners address the wreck—likely because its deep location and non-navigational hazard status renders it non‑critical. **None noted.**
Dive Information
Access: Boat deployment from Georgian Bay area (e.g., Collingwood)
Entry Point: Likely operational launch from Collingwood or nearby dive bases
Conditions: Deep freshwater, cold, low visibility—technical diving only
Depth Range: 350 ft (107 m), beyond recreational limits; requires mixed‑gas, advanced certifications
Emergency Contacts: Not established; nearest would include marine search-and-rescue or specialized technical dive operators
Permits: Likely mandated under Ontario heritage/environmental policy for deeper dives – require confirmation
Dive Support: Not documented; groups likely rely on specialized technical diving services
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No crew fatalities were recorded, and no memorials appear to exist. Detailed crew lists or individual biographical data are not currently available—further investigation via union or registry archives recommended.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“Towed into Georgian Bay on 23 October and scuttled off Christian Island.”
— Great Lakes Vessel History summary :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official number (Canada #146255) is confirmed. Further documentation—such as registry port, insurance status, or casualty claims—requires archival search in Transport Canada, provincial archives, or Lloyd’s casualty archives.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Beyond the scuttling photo provided, there is no record of underwater imagery, NOAA VR, or 3D recreations. The wreck remains unphotographed underwater at present.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Newspapers.com
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Find A Grave
References
- Great Lakes Vessel History: details of grounding, explosion, scuttling on 23 October 1968
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: William H. Reid (proposed)
Official Number: Canada #146255
Coordinates: Approximate (350 ft depth off Christian Island)
Depth: 107 m (350 ft)
Location Description: Offshore Georgian Bay, Christian Island
Vessel Type: Bulk freighter, converted chemical tanker
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 252′ × 43′ × 20′; 1,729 GRT / 1,112 NRT
Condition: Sunk intact (stern-first) after explosion damage
Cause of Loss: Explosion during repairs; scuttled due to irreparable damage
Discovery Date: 23 October 1968 (scuttling date)
Discovered By: Collingwood Shipyards / salvage authorities
Method: Deliberate sinking (scuttling)
Legal Notes: Vessel declared beyond economical repair; scuttled as disposal method; insurance/legal details unknown
Hazards: Potential chemical residue; deep water location unlikely to pose surface navigational risk
Permits Required: Likely under provincial heritage/environmental regulations—confirmation needed
You must be logged in to post a comment.