W.S. Carkin / P.B. Mcnaughton / Joseph H – Lake Ontario Tug Shipwreck (1924)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: W.S. Carkin
• Type: Wooden Canal Tug (Towboat)
• Year Built: 1874
• Builder: Chesley Wheeler, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length: 69.7 ft (21.3 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth of hold: 6.4 ft (1.95 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 29.44 tons
• Location: Near Port Colborne, Ontario
• Original Owners: R.J. Cram (1875), L.L. Johnson (1887), Pliny B. McNaughton (1896), C.E. Millard (1916), Montreal Transportation Co. (1918), Harrigan Tug Line (1921)

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The W.S. CARKIN was a wooden canal tug, integral to maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Designed for towing and maneuvering larger vessels through ports, harbours, and canals, the tug featured a single screw propulsion system powered by a modest 1-cylinder engine. This type of vessel was crucial during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods and ships.

Description

The W.S. CARKIN was constructed in 1874 in East Saginaw, Michigan, by Chesley Wheeler. Initially enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan, in 1875, the tug served various owners and was engaged in towing duties along the Great Lakes.

History

Key Events:

• November 23, 1887: The W.S. CARKIN struck a reef near Presque Isle, Michigan, during heavy weather on Lake Huron. The tug was wrecked and declared a total loss. Its enrollment was surrendered on March 31, 1888.
• 1896: The wrecked vessel was rebuilt, enlarged, and renamed P.B. McNAUGHTON. It was operated by Pliny B. McNaughton and later transferred to Canadian registry under C.E. Millard in 1916.
• 1916: The P.B. McNAUGHTON was involved in a minor collision with a barge in the Bay of Quinte but continued service.
• 1918: The tug was sold to the Montreal Transportation Co. for $10,500.
• 1921: Ownership transferred to the Harrigan Tug Line, and the vessel was renamed JOSEPH H. in 1922.

Significant Incidents

Final Disaster:

On December 5, 1924, the JOSEPH H. met its final fate near Port Colborne, Ontario. During a storm, the tug, along with another small tug, HOME RULE, was pushed against a reef by the bulk carrier MIDLAND PRINCE, resulting in their destruction.

Final Disposition

FINAL DISPOSITION:

• Date of Loss: December 5, 1924
• Cause of Loss: Pushed against a reef during a storm, leading to total destruction
• Condition: Wrecked; presumed scattered and deteriorated
• Casualties: None reported

Current Condition & Accessibility

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY:

Given the wooden construction and the passage of nearly a century, the wreck is likely in a highly deteriorated state, with remains scattered along the reef. The site is not known to be accessible for diving or exploration, but it remains a point of interest for maritime historians.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-s-carkin-p-b-mcnaughton-joseph-h” title=”References & Links”]

The wreck of the JOSEPH H. (formerly W.S. CARKIN and P.B. McNAUGHTON) has not been widely documented. Its exact location near Port Colborne remains unconfirmed and unexplored.