Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Russel Roque (initially launched as Camilla)
- Type: Wooden-hulled, screw-driven steam tug
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: Roaches Point, Ontario
- Dimensions: Approximately 66 ft × 13 ft; 39 gross tons, 27 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 39 gross tons, 27 net tons
- Location: Gore Bay harbor, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
- Official Number: C100024
- Original Owners: Toronto
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled, screw-driven steam tug.
Description
Built in 1890, Camilla served as a sturdy wood-hulled steam tug before being renamed Russel Roque in 1909. Over its four decades of service, it likely operated across Lake Huron and possibly in and out of Toronto, supporting log towing, shipping, and harbor work typical of Great Lakes tugs of the era.
History
On August 16, 1931, while docked in Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island, the Russel Roque caught fire and was “burned to a total loss at the wharf.” No injuries were reported, and the vessel was deemed unsalvageable.
Significant Incidents
- August 16, 1931: Caught fire while docked in Gore Bay, resulting in total loss.
Final Disposition
Completely destroyed by fire; no remains salvaged and hull was beyond repair. Specifics—whether she sank or was dismantled in place—are absent from available records.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No Notices to Mariners recorded; destroyed at wharf suggests debris cleared locally, with no lasting hazard.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”russel-roque-camilla-c-100024″ title=”References & Links”]
The Russel Roque exemplifies late-19th-century steam tug operations on the Great Lakes. Its loss at Gore Bay in 1931 following a catastrophic dockside fire closes a 41-year career tied to regional industry. While the vessel no longer survives, its story reflects the risks and lifespans of working steam tugs.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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