Shotline Diving

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Wreck 9 – Suspected Tug, Lock 21, Third Welland Canal, Thorold, ON

Explore the submerged remains of a suspected tug in Lock 21, a unique inland shipwreck with seasonal access during winter drawdowns.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Unknown
  • Type: Presumed canal tug or service craft
  • Year Built: Unknown
  • Builder: Unknown
  • Dimensions: Length ~25 m (82 ft); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: Unknown
  • Location: Lock 21, Third Welland Canal, Thorold, Ontario
  • Coordinates: 43.129281, -79.186912
  • Official Number: Unknown
  • Original Owners: Unknown – suspected canal authority or contractor usage
  • Number of Masts: Not visible in known photo

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Presumed canal tug or service craft.

Description

This vessel, located in the basin of Lock 21, may have served a vital support role in the operation or maintenance of the Third Welland Canal system. A rare photo from the early 1930s shows the vessel afloat within the lock chamber, still upright and operational.

Lock 21 itself is a notable historic structure within the Thorold area canal heritage corridor. The wreck’s continued presence in the lock suggests it was either scuttled in place or abandoned when the lock was decommissioned.

History

This vessel, located in the basin of Lock 21, may have served a vital support role in the operation or maintenance of the Third Welland Canal system. A rare photo from the early 1930s shows the vessel afloat within the lock chamber, still upright and operational.

Lock 21 itself is a notable historic structure within the Thorold area canal heritage corridor. The wreck’s continued presence in the lock suggests it was either scuttled in place or abandoned when the lock was decommissioned.

Significant Incidents

  • Casualties: None documented.

Final Disposition

Sometime after the early 1930s, the vessel was likely abandoned, possibly as part of the decommissioning of the lock. Its condition is unknown; it is presumed to be sunken and partially intact, rarely exposed.

Diving Status: Non-divable under normal conditions – seasonal access during maintenance drawdowns or freeze periods only.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is submerged and its current condition is uncertain. Historic photos from the early 1930s show the vessel intact and floating in the lock.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

Call to the Community: Know more about tug operations on the Third Canal? Or have winter access photos of Lock 21? Help us document this cold-case canal wreck and preserve its legacy.