Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.A. Rooth
- Type: Wooden tugboat
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: Port Robinson, Ontario
- Dimensions: 85 ft (25.9 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 32 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10 m / 33 ft
- Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario
- Original Owners: Operated out of Port Robinson, Ontario, likely under local towing companies
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Overview
- Type: Wooden tugboat
- Built: 1871, Port Robinson, Ontario
- Dimensions: 85 ft length × 10 ft beam × 32 tons
- Construction: Wood-hulled
- Registry/Ownership: Operated out of Port Robinson, Ontario, likely under local towing companies
Description
Operational Context
The W.A. Rooth served as a harbor and coastal tug, primarily assisting sailing vessels and barges along Lake Erie and the Upper Great Lakes through the late 19th century.
History
Loss Circumstances & Site Disposition
- Specifics of loss (e.g., wreck, scuttling) are not documented in shipwreck files, but she is listed among vessels moved to Thunder Bay’s “Ship Graveyard” scuttling grounds.
- Likely intentionally scuttled in shallow water as part of early 20th-century harbor clearance efforts.
- Final resting place: Thunder Bay, Ontario, within the known scuttled vessel zone.
Final Disposition
Wreck Site & Archaeological Condition
- Depth: Estimated between 10 and 18 m (33-60 ft), typical of the graveyard area.
- Condition: Upright on lakebed or partly embedded; wooden hull survives in cold freshwater.
- Visible Features: Keel, frames, and hull planks remain; minimal superstructure; iron hull fasteners present; photogrammetric surveys recommended.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Significance
W.A. Rooth is representative of late-19th-century workboats essential to Great Lakes commerce. As a relic preserved in Thunder Bay’s scuttled vessel assemblage, her study offers insights into wooden tug design, construction methods, and practices of vessel disposal. Proper archaeological documentation could greatly enhance understanding of both everyday maritime infrastructure and early dump-site practices.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-a-rooth” title=”References & Links”]
Recommended Research & Survey Activities
| Research Focus | Actions |
|---|---|
| Archival Verification | Match vessel in Duluth–Thunder Bay marine registers or Canadian Customs logs to confirm Rooth’s identity. |
| Docking & Scuttling Records | Review Port Robinson and Thunder Bay harbor clearance logs for disposal contracts and vessel lists. |
| Diving & Documentation | Commission side-scan sonar and 3D photogrammetric surveys to document hull dimensions and construction. |
| Wood Sampling | Conduct dendrochronology on preserved hull beams to verify build year and timber origin. |
| Historical Bibliography | Seek period images or builder’s documentation from 1871 in Port Robinson municipal archives. |
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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