Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Unknown 17
- Type: Harbor tug
- Year Built:
- Builder: Unknown—no registry plates or builder’s marks identified
- Dimensions: Approximately 40 ft (~12.2 m); Beam & Draft unknown
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10 m / 33 ft
- Location: Thunder Bay “ship graveyard,” off Mission Island
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Harbor tug.
Description
Description
Unknown 17 is a compact wooden tug, approximately 40 feet in length, designed for harbor operations. The vessel is upright and intact below the waterline, although its upper structures have been removed or decayed.
History
History
As a compact wooden tug, Unknown 17 likely supported harbor operations—assisting ships in docking, towing scows, or moving barge lines before being retired. Its presence in the Thunder Bay scuttling zone preserves a rare example of small harbor workboat infrastructure.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Deliberately scuttled, likely after decommissioning or as part of harbor clearance.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The vessel was scuttled in the Thunder Bay ship graveyard, where it remains submerged in a cold, low-silt environment that aids in the preservation of submerged wooden elements.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The hull is upright and intact below the waterline, with visible features such as likely engine bed mounts and tow post foundations. The site is accessible for diving, with typical depths ranging from 10 to 18 meters (33 to 60 feet).
Resources & Links
Closing Summary
Documentation of Unknown 17 could reveal building practices, propulsion system type, and the life cycle of early Great Lakes tug vessels, contributing to the understanding of maritime history in the region.