Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Reliever (formerly Germanic)
- Type: Bulk Carrier, later converted to Steam Barge
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Unknown, built in West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 226 ft (68.9 m); Beam; Depth of hold 20 ft (6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 959 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2 m / 6 ft
- Location: Methodist Point Bay, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: N 44° 51.136′ W 80° 00.86′
- Original Owners: Original: J.T. Hutchinson, Cleveland, Ohio; Later: Manley Chew, Midland, Ontario
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Bulk Carrier, later converted to Steam Barge
Description
GERMANIC (later RELIEVER)
- Original Name: GERMANIC
- Later Name: RELIEVER
- Material: Wooden hull
- Propulsion: Steam-powered
History
As GERMANIC (1888–1904):
- Purpose: Steam-powered bulk freighter transporting coal and other goods.
- 1901: Rebuilt, reducing gross tonnage from 1,391 to 959 tons.
- On November 4, 1904, GERMANIC grounded in foggy conditions at Stag Island on the St. Clair River.
- Two days later, a fire erupted in the engine room, consuming the vessel to the waterline.
As RELIEVER (1908–1909):
Rebuild: In 1908, Manley Chew of Midland purchased and rebuilt the burned hull, lengthening it to 226 ft. The vessel was renamed RELIEVER and repurposed as a steam barge for transporting lumber.
Significant Incidents
Final Incident:
On November 3, 1909, RELIEVER caught fire while loading lumber at Third Beach (now part of Awenda Park). To save the dock and mill, the vessel was released to drift into Methodist Point Bay, where it burned to the waterline. Over time, its timbers were salvaged for local use.
Final Disposition
Current Condition:
Scattered remains lie in the shallow waters of Methodist Bay near the Second Beach Viewing Platform. Larger sections of the hull (10′ x 10′) are present, along with various wood and metal fragments bent and broken by ice. The wreck is spread over a large area, making it suitable for piece-by-piece exploration.
Historical Salvage:
During World War I, the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding Company salvaged metallic components, including the engine, boiler, shaft, and propeller, for the war effort.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Dive Notes:
- Site Entry: Best accessed via shore; the wreck lies close to the beach and Second Beach Viewing Platform.
- A massive square rock near the site serves as a notable starting point for exploring the wreck.
- Scattered remains include sections of the hull, bent and twisted metal, and remnants of the fire-damaged structure.
- Marine life includes smallmouth bass and turtles.
- Depth: Mostly shallow (~6 ft/2 m); some areas reach up to 10 ft (3 m).
- Visibility: Generally good, but conditions may vary with weather.
- Safety Notes: Caution is advised due to sharp objects and remnants from historical waste-burning practices.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”reliever-germanicc-122417″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The dual identity of the GERMANIC/RELIEVER reflects the ingenuity and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its transformation from a bulk freighter to a lumber barge and its eventual demise highlight the challenges faced by maritime industries in the region. Today, its wreck serves as both a historical site and a fascinating dive destination.
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.
GERMANIC (later RELIEVER)
- Type: Bulk Carrier, later converted to Steam Barge
- Lengths:
- • Original: 216 ft (65.8 m)
- • Rebuilt: 226 ft (68.9 m)
- Depths: 20 ft (6 m)
- Location: Methodist Point Bay, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
- GPS Coordinates: N 44° 51.136′ W 80° 00.86′
- IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- • Original Name: GERMANIC
- • Later Name: RELIEVER
- • Construction:
- • Builder: Unknown, built in West Bay City, Michigan
- • Year Built: 1888
- • Material: Wooden hull
- • Propulsion: Steam-powered
- • Ownership:
- • Original: J.T. Hutchinson, Cleveland, Ohio
- • Later: Manley Chew, Midland, Ontario
HISTORY
As GERMANIC (1888–1904):
- Purpose: Steam-powered bulk freighter transporting coal and other goods.
- 1901: Rebuilt, reducing gross tonnage from 1,391 to 959 tons.
- On November 4, 1904, GERMANIC grounded in foggy conditions at Stag Island on the St. Clair River.
- Two days later, a fire erupted in the engine room, consuming the vessel to the waterline.
As RELIEVER (1908–1909):
Rebuild: In 1908, Manley Chew of Midland purchased and rebuilt the burned hull, lengthening it to 226 ft. The vessel was renamed RELIEVER and repurposed as a steam barge for transporting lumber.
Final Incident:
On November 3, 1909, RELIEVER caught fire while loading lumber at Third Beach (now part of Awenda Park) To save the dock and mill, the vessel was released to drift into Methodist Point Bay, where it burned to the waterline. Over time, its timbers were salvaged for local use.
FINAL DISPOSITION
Current Condition:
Scattered remains lie in the shallow waters of Methodist Bay near the Second Beach Viewing Platform. Larger sections of the hull (10′ x 10′) are present, along with various wood and metal fragments bent and broken by ice. The wreck is spread over a large area, making it suitable for piece-by-piece exploration.
Historical Salvage:
During World War I, the Georgian Bay Shipbuilding Company salvaged metallic components, including the engine, boiler, shaft, and propeller, for the war effort.
DIVE NOTES
- Site Entry: Best accessed via shore; the wreck lies close to the beach and Second Beach Viewing Platform.
- A massive square rock near the site serves as a notable starting point for exploring the wreck.
- Scattered remains include sections of the hull, bent and twisted metal, and remnants of the fire-damaged structure.
- Marine life includes smallmouth bass and turtles.
- Depth: Mostly shallow (~6 ft/2 m); some areas reach up to 10 ft (3 m).
- Visibility: Generally good, but conditions may vary with weather.
- Safety Notes: Caution is advised due to sharp objects and remnants from historical waste-burning practices.
SIGNIFICANCE
The dual identity of the GERMANIC/RELIEVER reflects the ingenuity and resilience of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its transformation from a bulk freighter to a lumber barge and its eventual demise highlight the challenges faced by maritime industries in the region. Today, its wreck serves as both a historical site and a fascinating dive destination.
REFERENCES & LINKS
- Historical Collections of the Great Lakes (HCGL)
- Collingwood Bulletin (December 16, 1909)
- Dominion of Canada Vessel Register (1909)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Merchant Vessel List (U.S., 1904)
- Steamboat Inspection Report, Marine & Fisheries (1910)
- Various newspaper archives and personal interviews.