Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Province
- Type: Wooden Wrecking & Construction Barge
- Year Built: 1911
- Builder: Canadian Towing & Wrecking, Fort William, Ontario
- Dimensions: 152 × 40 × 10 ft; 580 GT/NT
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near the mouth of the St. Clair River, Lake Huron
- Original Owners: Canadian, registered out of Port Arthur
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wood-hulled salvage/construction barge with crane equipment.
Description
The Province was a wooden construction barge built in 1911, primarily used for salvage operations. It was equipped with crane equipment, making it suitable for various construction tasks on the Great Lakes.
History
The Province was registered under the Canadian flag out of Port Arthur. On September 27, 1923, while under tow, the barge capsized and sank, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives. Following the incident, the barge was salvaged for scrap by Captain James Reid’s company, and its final hulk was scuttled in Lake Huron, near the mouth of the St. Clair River.
Significant Incidents
- 1923 Accident: On September 27, the Province capsized and sank while under tow, leading to three fatalities.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Province is believed to rest in moderate-depth zones of Lake Huron, near the St. Clair River delta. After being salvaged, the barge was scuttled, and its condition is likely structurally incomplete, possibly broken and partially submerged in soft sediment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, there are no known sonar or diver surveys specifically targeting this wreck, and its exact condition remains uncertain.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”province-c-130838″ title=”References & Links”]
The Province capsized under tow on September 27, 1923, resulting in three fatalities. After salvage by Captain James Reid, its stripped hull was scuttled near the St. Clair River mouth in Lake Huron. This wreck exemplifies industrial salvage and disposal practices and warrants further archival and underwater investigation to understand its remnants and cultural-historical value.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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