Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Screamer
- Type: Logging barge (wooden hull)
- Year Built: 1922
- Builder: J.B. Smith and Sons
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 10,000 logs
- Location: Smith Island, Georgian Bay
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Logging barge (wooden hull)
Description
The Screamer was designed as a large-capacity logging barge, reflecting the needs of the lumber trade in the early 20th century. It was capable of hauling up to 10,000 logs.
History
The Screamer served as a key component of logging operations, towing massive quantities of logs across waterways. Its large capacity made it a valuable asset for transporting timber to mills or staging areas. By the late 1930s, however, the wooden hull had begun to deteriorate significantly, as exposure to water and the heavy loads took their toll.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Retirement: Circa 1940.
- Condition: The hull had become severely rotted and was no longer seaworthy.
- Disposal: The wheelhouse and engine were salvaged before the vessel was taken out of service. The Woodchuck, another vessel involved in logging operations, towed the Screamer to Smith Island in Georgian Bay for final disposal. Once there, the barge was doused with gasoline and set on fire, a common practice at the time to dispose of deteriorating wooden vessels.
Final Disposition
The Screamer reflects the importance of specialized vessels in supporting the logging industry, which was a dominant economic force in the Great Lakes and surrounding waterways during the early 20th century. Its ultimate fate underscores the transient nature of early 20th-century wooden ships, which were often built for utility and disposed of when no longer serviceable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Screamer is no longer in existence, having been destroyed by fire after its retirement.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”screamer-1922″ title=”References & Links”]
The Screamer was a unique example of a purpose-built logging vessel that served its role despite its initial design challenges. Its story reflects the ingenuity and practicality of the lumber industry during the early 20th century, as well as the impermanence of wooden vessels in the face of heavy use and natural decay.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →