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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”tekakwitha-mid-state-ii-harry-r-conners-frederick-a-russell-frank-l-coyne-us-251162″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
No known casualties from either sinking incident. No memorial found. Remember to practice responsible diving: leave only bubbles, take only memories.
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