Initial dives by the SeaView crew were conducted in 1994. Aside from the visit to the wreck by the HMS Cormorant mini-sub, the SeaView crew were the first to dive this shipwreck. The identity of this tug was not known at this time, and its spectacular condition inspired further investigation.
Initial dives by the SeaView crew were conducted in 1994. Aside from the visit to the wreck by the HMS Cormorant mini-sub, the SeaView crew were the first to dive this shipwreck. The identity of this tug was not known at this time, and its spectacular condition inspired further investigation.
It would be one entire season before the conclusive identity of the tug was revealed.
While investigating carefully, Dan Lindsay found the painted name still visible on the stern under the quagga mussels, which proved the tug to be the “Smith.” The lettering beneath the name indicates the home port of Montreal.
Name on the Smith Transom
Name on the Smith Transom
It would be one entire season before the conclusive identity of the tug was revealed.
While investigating carefully, Dan Lindsay found the painted name still visible on the stern under the quagga mussels, which proved the tug to be the “Smith.” The lettering beneath the name indicates the home port of Montreal.
Ray Stewart on the Bow of the Smith
The “Smith” was built in 1881 in Buffalo as the “Albert J. Wright.” Built as an excursion steamer for Buffalo, she was used before and after the excursion season towing barges up and down the lakes. Her size for a tug was a lengthy 127 feet, a beam of 22 feet and a depth of 9.
Ray Stewart on the Bow of the Smith
The “Smith” was built in 1881 in Buffalo as the “Albert J. Wright.” Built as an excursion steamer for Buffalo, she was used before and after the excursion season towing barges up and down the lakes. Her size for a tug was a lengthy 127 feet, a beam of 22 feet and a depth of 9.
She was sold out of Buffalo’s hands in 1885 and went to Chicago. After one year, it changed ownership to Port Huron, and in 1893 the “Wright” was sold to Leatham & Smith Towing & Wrecking Co. of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She went through rebuilds during this time and was renamed the “Smith.”
Chadburn on the Smith
Chadburn on the Smith
She was sold out of Buffalo’s hands in 1885 and went to Chicago. After one year, it changed ownership to Port Huron, and in 1893 the “Wright” was sold to Leatham & Smith Towing & Wrecking Co. of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. She went through rebuilds during this time and was renamed the “Smith.”
In 1916 her registry was surrendered at Milwaukee to a Canadian company, Reid Wrecking Company of Sarnia. The last owner of the vessel was Sincennes – MacNaughton Co. Ltd. of Montreal. Her final engine was a two-cylinder fore-and-aft engine with 30 and 54-inch diameter cylinders and a 45-inch stroke.
In 1916 her registry was surrendered at Milwaukee to a Canadian company, Reid Wrecking Company of Sarnia. The last owner of the vessel was Sincennes – MacNaughton Co. Ltd. of Montreal. Her final engine was a two-cylinder fore-and-aft engine with 30 and 54-inch diameter cylinders and a 45-inch stroke.
Newspapers wrote of her sinking on Oct. 24, 1930, saying that the condemned tug was under tow from Port Colborne to Sarnia for repairs. While being towed by the tug Manistique, she foundered and sank in 20 fathoms of water off Long Point.
Newspapers wrote of her sinking on Oct. 24, 1930, saying that the condemned tug was under tow from Port Colborne to Sarnia for repairs. While being towed by the tug Manistique, she foundered and sank in 20 fathoms of water off Long Point.
Whistle on the Smith
Help on the research came from Pat Labadie and the Door County Museum of Sturgeon Bay. B&W photo of the Smith is courtesy of the Milwaukee Public Library. Jack Messemer of Buffalo also helped with this research.
Whistle on the Smith
Help on the research came from Pat Labadie and the Door County Museum of Sturgeon Bay. B&W photo of the Smith is courtesy of the Milwaukee Public Library. Jack Messemer of Buffalo also helped with this research.
