Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Transiter
- Type: Steel diesel screw fuel tanker
- Year Built: 1935
- Builder: Horton Steel Works, Fort Erie, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length: 170 ft (51.8 m); Beam: 34 ft (10.4 m); Depth of hold: 13 ft (4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 904 GT
- Location: Rouge River, between Fort St. and Wabash St. bridges, Detroit River
- Official Number: C158633
- Original Owners: Tankers Transit Terminals, Ltd., Montreal
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Transiter was a modern steel fuel tanker designed for the transportation of petroleum products across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
Description
The Transiter was built in 1935 by Horton Steel Works in Fort Erie, Ontario. Powered by a diesel engine with a screw propeller, she was efficient for inland water routes and operated primarily in the Great Lakes petroleum trade.
History
Operated by Tankers Transit Terminals, Ltd., Montreal, the Transiter specialized in transporting volatile fuels such as gasoline. The vessel served industrial centers during the pre-World War II era under the command of Captain Rudolph Tremblay.
Significant Incidents
- August 8, 1941: The Transiter exploded shortly after leaving dock in the Rouge River, fully loaded with 15,000 barrels of high-test gasoline. The explosion resulted in a catastrophic fire, leading to the loss of two lives among the 17 people onboard.
Final Disposition
After the explosion, the Transiter was salvaged and rebuilt at Port Dalhousie, Ontario. The reconstruction included lengthening the vessel to 243 ft (74 m) and significant structural repairs. Following the rebuild, she was renamed Transtream and served for several more decades before being scrapped in 1981.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The Transiter was recovered and rebuilt shortly after the incident, thus there are no current dive conditions or accessibility issues related to the wreck.
Resources & Links
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The Transiter‘s catastrophic explosion on the Rouge River in 1941 serves as a grim reminder of the dangers inherent in fuel transportation. The quick actions of Captain Tremblay and the crew prevented an even greater disaster, and the vessel’s recovery and rebuilding highlight resilience in maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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