Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Philadelphia
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Dock or nearby shore (likely Georgian Bay, Lake Huron)
- Original Owners: Algoma Central Railway
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally built in 1867 as a passenger vessel, the Philadelphia was later converted in 1896 into a wooden propeller tug. Serving the Algoma Central Railway, she performed towing duties on the upper Great Lakes and Georgian Bay—vital to the region’s commercial waterway operations.
Description
The Philadelphia was a wooden-hulled propeller tug that transitioned from passenger service to towing operations in 1896. Her role was crucial in supporting the commercial activities of the Algoma Central Railway on the Great Lakes.
History
Built in 1867, the Philadelphia served as a passenger vessel before being converted to a tug in 1896. Throughout her service, she was instrumental in towing operations across the upper Great Lakes and Georgian Bay.
Significant Incidents
- October 1907: Caught fire while moored or working near her dock, likely due to an incident in the coal bunker or galley.
- Beached to prevent the spread of the fire, ultimately burned to the waterline.
- Assisted by the steel-hulled tug Shaughraun and steambarge Marsh, but was declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The Philadelphia caught fire in October 1907 while docked, leading to her being beached to contain the blaze. Despite attempts to cool her down, she burned to the waterline and sank near shore. No casualties were reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the fire occurred dockside and her hull was beached and burned, no underwater wreck location or dive site exists.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”philadelphia-18670″ title=”References & Links”]
The Philadelphia was a long-serving Great Lakes vessel—first as a passenger steamer and later as a tug under the Algoma Central Railway. Her destruction in October 1907 by a dockside fire marks the end of her service. Despite the dramatic blaze, the crew escaped unharmed, and the vessel was lost to history with no remaining wreckage.
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.
Philadelphia (Built 1867 – Lost October 1907)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Philadelphia
- Registry: United States / Canadian (operated by Algoma Central Railway)
- Year built: 1867
- Vessel type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug (converted from passenger service to tug in 1896) (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Hull material: Wood
- Date lost: October 1907
- Location of loss: Dock or nearby shore (exact lake not specified; likely Georgian Bay, Lake Huron) (visitdrummondisland.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Loss type: Caught fire, beached, and burned to a total loss
- Casualties: None reported (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Vessel Type Description
Originally built in 1867 as a passenger vessel, the Philadelphia was later converted in 1896 into a wooden propeller tug. Serving the Algoma Central Railway, she performed towing duties on the upper Great Lakes and Georgian Bay—vital to the region’s commercial waterway operations (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Final Dispositions
In October 1907, while moored or working near her dock, the Philadelphia caught fire—likely originating in the coal bunker or galley. She was beached to prevent the blaze from spreading and ultimately burned to the waterline. The steel-hulled tug Shaughraun and steambarge Marsh assisted briefly, trying to tow or cool her, but the vessel was a total loss. She drifted and sank near shore, helpless against the flames. No crew members were lost (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Located By & Date Found
As the fire occurred dockside and her hull was beached and burned, no underwater wreck location or dive site exists.
Notmars & Advisories
No known marine warnings or navigational notices were issued post-incident—loss occurred in calm harbor conditions.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – entry on Philadelphia, describing fire and total loss (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Conclusion
The Philadelphia was a long-serving Great Lakes vessel—first as a passenger steamer and later as a tug under the Algoma Central Railway—built in 1867 and rebuilt in 1896. Her destruction in October 1907 by a dockside fire marks the sharp end of her service. Despite the dramatic blaze, the crew escaped unharmed, and the vessel was blotted from history with no remaining wreckage.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Wooden tug steamer; Algoma Central Railway; dock fire; Georgian Bay; propeller tug; 1907 harbourside loss.
philadelphia-18670 1907-10-24 20:46:00