Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Prince Ray
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1909
- Builder: Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
- Dimensions: Length: 73.6 ft (22.4 m); Beam: 18.8 ft; Depth of hold: 8.2 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 72 tons
- Location: Lake Ontario
- Official Number: C.126395
- Original Owners: W. J. Poupore Company Ltd., Knox Bros., Henry J. Dixon, Toronto Drydock Company Ltd.
- Number of Masts: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Prince Ray is classified as a wooden tugboat, designed for towing and harbor operations.
Description
The Prince Ray was built in 1909 and originally powered by steam. It was constructed to serve the growing shipping needs along Canada’s eastern seaboard and later the Great Lakes.
History
The Prince Ray was owned by the W. J. Poupore Company Ltd. during World War I, providing essential towing services in Montreal. It was later sold to Knox Bros. and then to Henry J. Dixon, operating in Toronto as part of the harbor’s towing fleet.
Significant Incidents
- 1923-1924: Sold to Knox Bros., continuing local towing operations.
- 1927: Acquired by Henry J. Dixon, operated by Toronto Drydock Company Ltd..
- 1930s: Salvaged by Toronto Drydock Company Ltd., engine and boiler removed.
- 1930s: Hull scuttled in Lake Ontario.
Final Disposition
After being laid up for several years, the Prince Ray was salvaged and its machinery removed. The stripped hull was then scuttled in Lake Ontario.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Prince Ray lies submerged in Lake Ontario. Divers are encouraged to document the site using no-touch methods, respecting the historical significance of the wreck.
Resources & Links
The Prince Ray serves as a reminder of the vital role tugboats played in the maritime history of Canada, particularly in the bustling ports of Montreal and Toronto.