Shotline Diving

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Wauwona (Wawona) C 126055

Explore the history of the Wauwona, a wooden tug lost to fire in 1917, and its significance to the Great Lakes fishing industry.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Wauwona
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven tug (fishery support vessel)
  • Year Built: 1908
  • Builder: Owen Sound, Ontario
  • Dimensions: 60 ft (18.3 m); Beam: 13 ft (4.0 m); Depth of hold: 5 ft (1.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 31 tons
  • Location: Wall Island, south of Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
  • Official Number: C126055

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wauwona was a small wooden-hulled fishing tug, primarily used in the commercial fishing industry.

Description

The Wauwona was built in Owen Sound, Ontario, in 1908. She was utilized mainly in the fishing industry of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, assisting in hauling fish, transporting fishermen, and towing fishing scows.

History

Based in Owen Sound, the Wauwona operated in the North Channel, Georgian Bay, and Lake Huron’s Manitoulin region, with typical work areas including Manitoulin Island, Killarney, and the Bruce Peninsula.

Significant Incidents

  • Date of Loss: June 20, 1917
  • Location: Wall Island, south of Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
  • Cause: Fire
  • Cargo at Loss: None
  • Loss of Life: Unknown (no confirmed fatalities in sources)

Final Disposition

The Wauwona caught fire while operating near Wall Island and burned to a total loss. The cause of the fire is uncertain, with possibilities including an engine-room fire or an accidental onboard fire. There is no clear record of casualties, but the crew may have escaped safely.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Given that the Wauwona burned completely, no substantial wreckage is expected. Any remains would likely be metal fittings, engine components, or debris scattered on the lakebed. No known wreckage surveys have been conducted at Wall Island, but the site could be examined using sonar or divers.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Wauwona (1908–1917) was a wooden fishing tug that served the Georgian Bay and Manitoulin fishery industry before being destroyed by fire at Wall Island in 1917. While no known wreckage remains, her loss reflects the fire risks of early gasoline and coal-fired tugs, as well as the difficult working conditions in the Great Lakes fishing trade.