Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sea Queen
- Type: Wooden propeller tug
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder: Marlton, Goderich, Ontario
- Dimensions: Unknown—typical small tug proportions (to be confirmed via registry archives)
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Dockside or near harbor at Meldrum Bay, North Channel, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Approx. Meldrum Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario (exact unknown)
- Official Number: C96875
- Original Owners: F. S. James (owner at time of loss)
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The *Sea Queen* was a wooden-hulled propeller tug built in 1892 at Marlton (Goderich, Ontario). Designed for harbor, fishing, or utility operations, she likely had modest dimensions consistent with regional tugs of the era. Registration number C96875 indicates Canadian registry documentation, though specific stats like tonnage remain to be sourced from vessel enrollment archives.
Description
The *Sea Queen* was a wooden-hulled propeller tug built in 1892 at Marlton (Goderich, Ontario). Designed for harbor, fishing, or utility operations, she likely had modest dimensions consistent with regional tugs of the era. Registration number C96875 indicates Canadian registry documentation, though specific stats like tonnage remain to be sourced from vessel enrollment archives.
History
Constructed in 1892, *Sea Queen* served the North Channel region—presumably assisting with small-scale tow, fishing, or harbor work. Ownership by F. S. James by 1932 is recorded, though detailed service logs or operational history are not currently found in accessible directories.
Significant Incidents
In 1932, *Sea Queen* caught fire at Meldrum Bay, likely while docked or anchored near the shore. The blaze consumed the wooden vessel, resulting in a total loss. No freighting occurred at the time, and no casualties were reported. The burned hull likely sank at or near her berth.
Final Disposition
This was not a rediscovered wreck; the vessel was lost visibly by fire, and remains (if extant) would lie in shallow water near Meldrum Bay.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Access: Shore/dockside near Meldrum Bay
Entry Point: Meldrum Bay harbor area, North Channel, Lake Huron (Manitoulin Island)
Conditions: Freshwater cold environment—wooden timbers may be preserved underwater
Depth Range: Likely shallow (a few meters at most)
Emergency Contacts: Local (Manitoulin Island) marine authorities or Coast Guard
Permits: Required if diving in Canadian waters—contact Ontario’s heritage authorities
Dive Support: None publicly listed; local dive charters may assist if site located
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sea-queen-c-96875″ title=”References & Links”]
No casualties reported; crew survived. No known memorials or personal records cited. Local archives or newspapers (e.g., Meldrum Bay Gazette, Manitoulin-region press) may hold personal notices or accounts.
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.
Identification Card (Site Style)
Other Names: None recorded
Official Number: C96875
Registry: Canada (Province of Ontario)
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller tug (utility/fishing duties)
Builder: Marlton, Goderich, Ontario
Year Built: 1892
Dimensions: Unknown—typical small tug proportions (to be confirmed via registry archives)
Gross Tonnage: Unknown
Cargo on Final Voyage: None (not carrying freight; likely operational duties)
Date of Loss: 1932 (fire at Meldrum Bay)
Location: Dockside or near harbor at Meldrum Bay, North Channel, Lake Huron
Coordinates: Approx. Meldrum Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario (exact unknown)
Depth: Likely shallow, near-shore remains (wooden burned wreck may lie close to shore)
Home Port: Possibly Goderich, Ontario (where built)—not confirmed
Owners: F. S. James (owner at time of loss)
Crew: Not recorded
Casualties: None—no reported injuries or fatalities
Description
The *Sea Queen* was a wooden-hulled propeller tug built in **1892** at Marlton (Goderich, Ontario). Designed for harbor, fishing, or utility operations, she likely had modest dimensions consistent with regional tugs of the era. Registration number **C96875** indicates Canadian registry documentation, though specific stats like tonnage remain to be sourced from vessel enrollment archives.
History
Constructed in 1892, *Sea Queen* served the North Channel region—presumably assisting with small-scale tow, fishing, or harbor work. Ownership by **F. S. James** by 1932 is recorded, though detailed service logs or operational history are not currently found in accessible directories.
Final Dispositions
In **1932**, *Sea Queen* caught fire at Meldrum Bay, likely while docked or anchored near the shore. The blaze consumed the wooden vessel, resulting in a total loss. No freighting occurred at the time, and no casualties were reported. The burned hull likely sank at or near her berth.
Located By & Date Found
This was not a rediscovered wreck; the vessel was lost visibly by fire, and remains (if extant) would lie in shallow water near Meldrum Bay.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted in historic records. The vessel burned at dock and likely posed limited long-term navigational hazard.
Dive Information
Access: Shore/dockside near Meldrum Bay
Entry Point: Meldrum Bay harbor area, North Channel, Lake Huron (Manitoulin Island)
Conditions: Freshwater cold environment—wooden timbers may be preserved underwater
Depth Range: Likely shallow (a few meters at most)
Emergency Contacts: Local (Manitoulin Island) marine authorities or Coast Guard
Permits: Required if diving in Canadian waters—contact Ontario’s heritage authorities
Dive Support: None publicly listed; local dive charters may assist if site located
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No casualties reported; crew survived. No known memorials or personal records cited. Local archives or newspapers (e.g., Meldrum Bay Gazette, Manitoulin-region press) may hold personal notices or accounts.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“…the tug ‘Sea Queen’ owned by F.S. James burned at his dock in 1932.” — community record
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
The **Official Number C96875** is attested but vessel registry records (measurements, ownership, enrollment) must be sought in Canadian Marine Registry archives—Library and Archives Canada or Ontario provincial registries.
Site Documentation & Imaging
No photographs or VR documentation found online. Local historical societies (Manitoulin or Goderich archives) may retain images or records of the fire or remains.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
References
- Community history post: “the tug ‘Sea Queen’ owned by F.S. James burned at his dock in 1932.”
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None known
Official Number: C96875
Coordinates: Meldrum Bay, North Channel, Lake Huron (approximate)
Depth: Shallow—dockside position
Location Description: Dock or near harbor at Meldrum Bay
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller tug
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown
Condition: Burned, sunk at site; likely broken remains
Cause of Loss: Fire
Discovery Date: 1932 (immediate loss event)
Discovered By: Owner/operators and local witnesses
Method: Observed during fire incident
Legal Notes: None recorded
Hazards: Possible submerged remains in shallow water
Permits Required: Possibly required for investigation or dive; consult heritage authorities