Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: P.M. Campbell
- Type: Wooden propeller tug
- Year Built: 1889
- Builder: S.D. Andrews, Collingwood, Ontario
- Dimensions: 72 × 14 × 7 ft; 49 gross tons, 33 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 49 gross tons, 33 net tons
- Location: Manitowaning Bay
- Official Number: C94684
- Original Owners: Canal and Lake Towing Co., New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller tug designed for towing operations on the Great Lakes.
Description
Description
The P.M. Campbell was a wooden tugboat built in 1889, measuring 72 feet in length and weighing 49 gross tons. It was powered by diesel and primarily operated in the Great Lakes region.
History
History
Constructed by S.D. Andrews in Collingwood, Ontario, the P.M. Campbell served under the Canal and Lake Towing Company. It was known for its towing capabilities and played a significant role in maritime operations in the area.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On September 11, 1908, while moored at Manitowaning Bay, the P.M. Campbell caught fire near the engine compartment, likely due to maintenance or engine operation.
- Local firefighting efforts were hindered by the risk of sinking the vessel, leading to Coast Guard personnel towing it past the breakwater, where it burned out completely.
- No loss of life was reported during the incident.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The P.M. Campbell was scuttled to extinguish the fire and was later declared a total loss. The burned hulk remains at sea, with no formal salvage or site survey recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the P.M. Campbell has not been formally surveyed, and its current condition is unknown. It is significant as a representation of early diesel-powered vessels and the risks associated with them.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”p-m-campbell-c-94684″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The P.M. Campbell’s story highlights the challenges of early 20th-century marine fire response and the inherent risks of diesel-powered small craft. The vessel’s legacy is intertwined with the maritime heritage of Manitoulin Island.
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 & Construction
- Name: P. M. Campbell
- Official No.: C94684
- Type: Wooden propeller tug
- Built: 1889 by S. D. Andrews, Collingwood, Ontario
- Dimensions: 72 × 14 × 7 ft; 49 gross tons, 33 net tons
- Owner: Canal and Lake Towing Co., New York
- Homeport: Operated from Collingwood, Ontario with Great Lakes deployment
Final Voyage & Fire Incident (Sept 11, 1908)
- While moored at Manitowaning Bay, P. M. Campbell caught fire near her engine compartment, causing rapid spread fueled by diesel oil
- Local firefighting efforts were thwarted when hoses threatened to sink her; Coast Guard personnel eventually towed her past the breakwater, where she burned out to total constructive loss
- No loss of life reported; fire likely accidental during maintenance or engine operation
Aftermath & Community Recognition
- The tug’s captain remained aboard during the emergency and expertly navigated her to safe depth
- The crew and rescuers were praised in local histories for their courage and composure during the conflagration near the dock
- The story was chronicled in the Manitoulin Islands historical narrative Through the Years, citing bravery by Captain P.M. Campbell and others
Archival Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“C” list): Provides technical specs, detailed fire narrative, and loss disposition
- Manitoulin local history texts: Describe Captain Campbell’s actions and firefighting challenges
- Ontario Archives (RootsWeb): Feature biographical info and community reaction to the 1908 Manitowaning fire
Wreck Condition & Significance
- The burned hulk was left at sea after scuttling; no formal salvage or site survey recorded
- As a diesel‑powered tug from the period, the Campbell reflects early industrial propulsion and raises important themes of fuel risk in small vessels
- Her story is interwoven with Manitoulin Island’s maritime heritage and early Coast Guard-community rescue operations
Gaps & Research Avenues
| Research Focus | Suggested Approach |
|---|---|
| Exact fire origin & cause | Search Manitoulin Expositor (Sept 1908) for fire reports and dock logs |
| Crew & Captain biographies | Consult Ontario maritime personnel records and biographies (e.g., family files for Captain Campbell) |
| Engine & equipment salvage | Inquire Collingwood shipyard records about post-loss salvage or use of parts |
| Wreck location & remains | Coordinate with local dive groups or museum for underwater photodocumentation of remains |
Conclusion
The tug P. M. Campbell, a 49‑ton wooden diesel propeller built in Collingwood in 1889, suffered a catastrophic engine-room fire on September 11, 1908, at Manitowaning Bay. Battalion efforts by the captain, crew, Coast Guard, and communities prevented further loss, but the vessel was intentionally scuttled to extinguish the blaze and later declared a total loss. No fatalities occurred, and the incident exemplifies early 20th-century marine fire response and the risks of diesel-powered small craft
- Compile detailed newspaper clippings from Manitoulin press covering the fire?
- Draft archival requests for engine salvage records in Collingwood shipyards?
- Propose a wreck-site dive survey plan for the burned hull?