Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ONAWA
- Type: Gas-screw yacht or tug
- Year Built: 1902
- Builder: Elco Co., Bayonne, New Jersey
- Dimensions: 42 × 14 × 6 ft; Gross Tonnage: 17 GRT, Net Tonnage: 15 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 17 GRT / 15 NRT
- Location: Cheboygan, Michigan
- Official Number: 155440
- Original Owners: Jack Toutle, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (1946 through loss in 1954)
- Number of Masts: 2-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
The Onawa is classified as a gas-screw yacht or tug, featuring a wooden hull and two masts.
Description
Description
The Onawa was a small wooden vessel built in 1902, measuring 42 feet in length, 14 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 17 and a net tonnage of 15.
History
History
Owned by Jack Toutle from 1946 until its loss in 1954, the Onawa operated primarily in Lake Huron, based out of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. It was likely used for towing, recreation, or utility operations in the Soo area.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- October 6, 1954: The Onawa was destroyed by fire in Cheboygan, Michigan, resulting in a total loss with no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Onawa was recorded as a total fire loss. Although there are indications of possible partial recovery, the wreck was not preserved, and no remains are accessible in navigable waters.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no archaeological remains of the Onawa; it is considered a historic fire incident rather than a diveable wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”onawa-1902″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The Onawa’s story reflects the fate of a modest wooden yacht/tug that ended in a fire in October 1954. While no injuries occurred, the vessel was completely destroyed and likely scrapped afterward, marking its loss as a historical note in Great Lakes fire incidents.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →