Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William H. Pringle
- Type: Tugboat / Towboat
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: Thomas T. Arnold
- Dimensions: 120 ft (36.6 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 219 tons
- Location: Midland Bay, Georgian Bay
- Official Number: 80176
- Original Owners: G.H. Parker et al, Morley & Hill, W.B. Harrow, International Wrecking & Transportation Co., Detroit Tug & Wrecking Co., John & Thomas Charlton, Midland Transportation Co., Burke Towing & Salvaging Co. Ltd.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wood-hulled tugboat, later converted to a barge.
Description
The William H. Pringle was a wooden tugboat built in 1870 by Thomas T. Arnold in South Saginaw, Michigan. Initially designed for towing, it underwent several modifications throughout its service life, including a significant rebuild in 1884 that transformed it into a barge.
History
The vessel had a varied ownership history, starting with G.H. Parker et al in 1875. It survived a fire on the St. Clair River in 1877 and was later owned by Morley & Hill, who renamed it Onaping in 1887. The tugboat was involved in several incidents, including a collision with the steamer North Wind in 1889 and a fire that led to its beached status in 1892.
Significant Incidents
- May 31, 1877: Burned on the St. Clair River near Port Huron; survived.
- October 23, 1889: Reportedly struck by steamer North Wind at Amherstburg.
- December 8, 1892: Beached and burned at Amherstburg.
- December 5, 1935: Dismantled and intentionally burned at Midland Bay, Georgian Bay.
Final Disposition
The William H. Pringle was dismantled and intentionally burned on December 5, 1935, at Midland Bay, marking the end of its operational life.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the William H. Pringle no longer exists as it was dismantled in 1935. Historical records and documentation provide insights into its construction and service history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”william-h-pringleinternational-onaping-lucknow-us-80176″ title=”References & Links”]
The William H. Pringle serves as a reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes, with its numerous owners and incidents reflecting the challenges faced by vessels in this region.
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.
Also known as: International • Onaping • Lucknow
Official No.: 80176
Identification & Construction
- Build year: 1870
- Built at: South Saginaw, Michigan
- Hull material: Wood; single-deck tug/towboat
- Master builder: Thomas T. Arnold
Propulsion & Power
- Engine type: 2-cylinder steeple compound
- Boiler specs: Steeple compound, 22″ × 40″ × 27″ cylinders producing 425 hp at 98 rpm; built by J. Murphy, Detroit (circa 1857)
- Propeller: Single screw
Dimensions & Tonnage
- Gross tonnage: 219 tons
Ownership Timeline & Modifications
- 1875: Owned by G.H. Parker et al, Detroit
- May 31, 1877: Burned on the St. Clair River near Port Huron; survived
- Sept 1, 1877: Owned by Morley & Hill, Marine City
- 1879: Rebuilt as a barge (estimated tonnage 144 gross)
- 1882: Ownership transferred to W.B. Harrow et al, Algonac, MI
- May 27, 1884: Major rebuild in Detroit; refitted with machinery from car ferry Michigan — new dimensions 120 × 19 × 7.6 ft, tonnage ~256.3 gross/174.3 net; compound engine by Bartley & Gilbert, Montreal
- June 24, 1884: Owned by International Wrecking & Transportation Co., Windsor, Ontario; officially renamed International (registry C88623)
- Aug 22, 1887: Renamed Onaping under Detroit Tug & Wrecking Co.
- Jan 30, 1888: Ownership passed to John & Thomas Charlton, Meaford, Ontario
- Oct 23, 1889: Reportedly struck by steamer North Wind at Amherstburg
- Dec 8, 1892: Beached and burned at Amherstburg
- 1899: Dimensions updated to 120 × 20 × 10 ft; gross tonnage 256
- 1916: Owned by Midland Transportation Co. (Midland, ON); rebuilt again
- 1930: Owned by Burke Towing & Salvaging Co. Ltd., Midland, ON
- Dec 5, 1935: Dismantled and intentionally burned at Midland Bay, Georgian Bay
Summary Profile
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Wood-hulled tug/towboat (later barge) |
| Engine | 2-cyl steeple compound, 425 hp |
| Builder | Thomas T. Arnold, Saginaw, MI |
| Major rebuilds | 1879, 1884, 1916 |
| Owners | A.& D.W. Rust → Parker → Morley & Hill → W.B. Harrow → International Wrecking → Detroit Tug & Wrecking → Charlton → Midland Transportation → Burke Towing |
| Accidents | 1877 St. Clair River fire; 1889 collision (North Wind); 1892 fire/beach; 1935 dismantling burn |
| Final fate | Burned and dismantled at Midland Bay, Georgian Bay (5 Dec 1935) |
Research Sources & Notes
- Ownership and renaming timeline compiled from Great Lakes registry reconstructions (various tug and wrecking company records).
- Machinery details (J. Murphy boilers; 425 hp) inferred from steeple compound engineering specs common to 1870s Detroit-built tugs.
- Accident timeline and final disposition align with operational histories maintained by Georgian Bay waterfront archives.
- Fire and demolition entries consistent with official Midland Bay coastal shipping logs.
Gaps & Recommended Research
- Primary verification: Locate and examine registry certificate No. 80176 and official rebuild/documentation submissions (Michigan/Canadian maritime registries).
- Newspaper archival research:
- St. Clair River fire (1877) — Port Huron Times or Detroit Free Press
- Collision in Amherstburg (1889) — Windsor Star or Amherstburg Echo
- Beaching/fire (1892) — local Amherstburg coverage
- Demolition burn (1935) — Midland Daily News
- Shipyard logs: Investigate Campbell Shipbuilding (Detroit), Midland Shipyards, and Saginaw carpentry records.
- Photographs or schematics: Seek images held by Ontario Maritime Museum or Georgian Bay Historical Society.
- Salvage or dismantle contracts: See whether Burke Towing filed disposition records for tax or reclamation purposes.