Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Vixen
- Type: Wooden propeller tug/fish tug
- Year Built: 1886
- Builder: Hill
- Dimensions: 48 ft × 13 ft; 68 GRT / 53 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 68 GRT / 53 NRT
- Location: Near Cockburn Island dock, North Channel, Lake Huron
- Official Number: C71228
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller tug/fish tug
Description
The Vixen was a wooden propeller tug built in 1886, primarily serving as a fish tug operating out of Cockburn Island, Ontario. It was involved in towing fishing nets and assisting with small cargo duties.
History
The Vixen, launched in 1886, operated locally around Cockburn Island. In the winter season of 1916–17, she was lost due to foundering near the island’s dock. The loss was recorded by local authorities but received minimal press, possibly because it was expected in winter conditions. No detailed log or crew statement appears in archival sources.
Significant Incidents
- Winter 1916–17: The Vixen foundered and sank near Cockburn Island dock, likely overwhelmed by ice or storm damage. No crew was reported aboard at the time.
Final Disposition
The Vixen was declared a total loss; it sank near the dock and was not recovered. The wreck remains submerged near the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The sinking was noted by Cockburn Island records in 1917. No precise coordinates are documented, and no modern dive or archaeological surveys have identified the wreck. There are no navigational markers indicating her position, and the northern shores of Cockburn Island experience severe ice and winter conditions, necessitating caution for small-craft navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”vixen-c-71228″ title=”References & Links”]
The Vixen was a small fish tug built in 1886, lost during the winter of 1916–17 when she foundered near the dock at Cockburn Island. Fortunately, no crew losses were reported. Her sinking reflects the harsh winter hazards common to North Channel maritime activity. Her wreck remains undiscovered and unmarked.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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