Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Tekakwitha
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1946
- Builder: Wheeler Shipbuilding, Whitestone, New York
- Dimensions: Length 78.7 ft (24 m); Beam 23 ft (7 m); Depth ~10 ft (est.)
- Registered Tonnage: 137 Gross Tons
- Location: Lake Ontario, offshore from Oswego, NY
- Coordinates: Not yet published
- Official Number: 251162
- Original Owners: Mid State Marine Corp → Private owner (Tom Kohl)
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Tugboat (U.S. Army ST-type design)
Description
Built in 1946 by Wheeler Shipbuilding, the tug was part of a series of postwar U.S. Army designs adapted for civilian use. Steel-hulled and compact, it measured just under 80 feet long. It served under various names and owners, transitioning from industrial and commercial towing roles to private operations by the 1990s.
History
Originally named Frederick A. Russell, the tug changed hands several times, becoming Harry R. Conners, Frank L. Coyne, and Mid State II. By the early 1990s it was owned privately and renamed Tekakwitha. In November 1992, the tug reportedly sank in the Oswego River near Lock 23 in Brewerton, NY. It was subsequently raised and towed to Oswego as a winter port.
Due to damage from the initial sinking, it appears the vessel never returned to active service. At some point after the initial salvage, the tug was lost again — this time in deeper water off Oswego. Reports suggest it was under tow when it went down a second and final time.
Significant Incidents
- November 1992: The tug reportedly sank in the Oswego River near Lock 23.
- July 2, 2024: Located by side-scan sonar team.
- July 22, 2024: ROV confirmed the wreck site.
Final Disposition
The wreck appears to be intact and lies on the lakebed. Survey divers observed the name Tekakwitha clearly on the pilot house. All evidence suggests the tug was being towed at the time of sinking. The wreck lies in a deep, high-current zone that delayed visual confirmation until July 22, 2024.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Access: Boat only
Entry Point: Oswego Harbor
Conditions: High-current zone, deep-water ROV required
Depth Range: Estimated >150 ft (45+ m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Buffalo / Oswego County SAR
Permits: May be required under NYS Historic Preservation law
Dive Support: Not currently supported as charter dive
Resources & Links
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No known casualties from either sinking incident. No memorial found. Remember to practice responsible diving: leave only bubbles, take only memories.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: Mid State II, Harry R. Conners, Frederick A. Russell, Frank L. Coyne
Official Number: 251162 (likely; final registration TBD)
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Tugboat (U.S. Army ST-type design)
Builder: Wheeler Shipbuilding, Whitestone, New York
Year Built: 1946
Dimensions: Length 78.7 ft (24 m), Beam 23 ft (7 m), Depth ~10 ft (est.)
Tonnage: 137 Gross Tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: None; presumed light or in tow
Date of Loss: November 1992
Location: Lake Ontario, offshore from Oswego, NY
Coordinates: Not yet published
Depth: Estimated deep-water target (specific depth not released)
Home Port: Oswego, New York (final)
Owners: Mid State Marine Corp → Private owner (Tom Kohl)
Crew: Unknown at time of final tow
Casualties: None reported at time of loss
Description
Built in 1946 by Wheeler Shipbuilding, the tug was part of a series of postwar U.S. Army designs adapted for civilian use. Steel-hulled and compact, it measured just under 80 feet long. It served under various names and owners, transitioning from industrial and commercial towing roles to private operations by the 1990s.
History
Originally named Frederick A. Russell, the tug changed hands several times, becoming Harry R. Conners, Frank L. Coyne, and Mid State II. By the early 1990s it was owned privately and renamed Tekakwitha. In November 1992, the tug reportedly sank in the Oswego River near Lock 23 in Brewerton, NY. It was subsequently raised and towed to Oswego as a winter port.
Due to damage from the initial sinking, it appears the vessel never returned to active service. At some point after the initial salvage, the tug was lost again — this time in deeper water off Oswego. Reports suggest it was under tow when it went down a second and final time.
Final Dispositions
Wreck appears to be intact and lies on the lakebed. Survey divers observed the name Tekakwitha clearly on the pilot house. All evidence suggests the tug was being towed at time of sinking. The wreck lies in a deep, high-current zone that delayed visual confirmation until July 22, 2024.
Located By & Date Found
Located by side-scan sonar team on July 2, 2024. Multiple ROV attempts were made, with successful site approach on July 22, 2024. Survey performed by private dive team (name withheld).
Notmars & Advisories
Hazardous current and depth make this a technical dive. Location not charted on NOAA wreck registers as of 2024.
Dive Information
Access: Boat only
Entry Point: Oswego Harbor
Conditions: High-current zone, deep-water ROV required
Depth Range: Estimated >150 ft (45+ m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Buffalo / Oswego County SAR
Permits: May be required under NYS Historic Preservation law
Dive Support: Not currently supported as charter dive
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No known casualties from either sinking incident. No memorial found.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The letters on the front of the pilot house clearly spelled out the name Tekakwitha. All evidence so far on site appears to show that the tug was being towed somewhere.”
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Initial enrollment as Frederick A. Russell in 1946. Final registry as Mid State II under Mid State Marine Corp. Last known documents list vessel as decommissioned/lost. Awaiting confirmation of registry strike.
Site Documentation & Imaging
Site documented by side-scan sonar and ROV imagery in July 2024. No NOAA or NYS site cards filed yet. 3D model pending development.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Related Tug Wreck: Edward E. Gillen
- Wheeler Shipbuilding Record
- BalticShipping MID STATE II
- Sketchfab Model
References
- ShipbuildingHistory.com – Wheeler Tugs
- BalticShipping – MID STATE II Registry
- Field Notes, Oswego Dive Team, July 2024
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Mid State II, Frank L. Coyne, Harry R. Conners, Frederick A. Russell
Official Number: 251162 (to confirm)
Coordinates: Not yet published
Depth: Estimated >150 ft (45+ m)
Location Description: Lake Ontario offshore Oswego, New York
Vessel Type: Tugboat
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 78.7 ft x 23 ft x est. 10 ft; 137 GRT
Condition: Intact, upright
Cause of Loss: Sank under tow (second sinking)
Discovery Date: July 2, 2024 (sonar contact), ROV confirmed July 22
Discovered By: Private dive team
Method: Side-scan sonar and ROV imagery
Legal Notes: Not yet protected under formal registry
Hazards: Deep current
Permits Required: May apply under NY State heritage law
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