Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W. L. Davis
- Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: Dean & Co., Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: 46 × 12 × 5 ft; 46 gross tons, 37 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 46 gross tons, 37 net tons
- Location: Near Point Maimanse, Lake Superior, Ontario
- Official Number: C96811
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller steam tug, later used in fishing operations.
Description
The W. L. Davis was a wooden propeller steam tug built in 1882. It was primarily used for towing and later adapted for fishing operations.
History
The vessel was constructed by Dean & Co. in Detroit, Michigan, and was registered under the official number C96811. It had dimensions of 46 feet in length, 12 feet in beam, and 5 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of 46 gross tons and 37 net tons.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in a powerful Lake Superior storm, the W. L. Davis was wrecked and considered a total loss.
- The vessel was en route to or from fishing operations when the storm overwhelmed her.
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss; no salvage was performed or documented.
- The wreck remains at the site off Point Maimanse.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the W. L. Davis is located off Point Maimanse in Lake Superior. It has not been salvaged and remains in situ.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-l-davis-c-96811″ title=”References & Links”]
The W. L. Davis serves as a reminder of the risks faced by small wooden tugs and fishing vessels on Lake Superior during early 20th-century storms, highlighting the vulnerability of non-reinforced hulls to severe weather.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Wooden Propeller Steam Tug – Built 1882, Lost May 9, 1907
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W. L. Davis (also reported as Walter L. Davis)
- Type: Wooden propeller steam tug, later used in fishing operations
- Official Number: C96811
- Built: 1882 by Dean & Co., Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: 46 × 12 × 5 ft; 46 gross tons, 37 net tons
- Date of Loss: May 9, 1907
- Location: Near Point Maimanse (Mainmasse), Lake Superior, Ontario
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, aos.wisc.edu, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Circumstances of Loss
Caught in a powerful Lake Superior storm, W. L. Davis was wrecked and considered a total loss. The vessel was en route to or from fishing operations when the storm overwhelmed her.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, aos.wisc.edu)
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss; no salvage was performed or documented.
- The wreck remains at the site off Point Maimanse.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Historical Significance
- Reflects the risks faced by small wooden tugs and fishing vessels on Lake Superior during early 20th-century storms.
- Serves as an example of the vulnerability of non-reinforced hulls to severe weather, even in protected or coastal areas.
Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1882, Dean & Co., Detroit, MI |
| Type | Wooden propeller steam tug (fishing use) |
| Dimensions | 46 × 12 × 5 ft; 46 gt, 37 nt |
| Lost | May 9, 1907, near Point Maimanse, ON |
| Cause | Storm wreck during Lake Superior gale |
| Disposition | Wrecked – total loss, not salvaged |
Next Research Steps
- Regional Histories: Local accounts in Lake Superior coastal archives may provide crew details or storm specifics.
- Insurance or Federal Reports: Early Coast Guard or marine insurance documents could offer official loss valuation.
- Site Survey: Current location off Pte. Mainmasse offers potential for diver or ROV exploration if of interest.