AH-WR-0259

Metamora

Tug · Canada · Lost 1907 · Georgian Bay & the North Channel

A veteran Georgian Bay lumber tug, once armed against Fenian raiders, that burned to a shoal near Turning Island in 1907.

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Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Historically Reconstructed. Drawn from partial documentation of this vessel together with her known class and configuration. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

Metamora was built in 1864 and originally fitted with armor plating to patrol against Fenian raids before becoming a Georgian Bay lumber tug. While towing a log boom toward Byng Inlet in 1907, she struck a shoal near Turning Island, caught fire and sank in shallow water. Everyone aboard swam safely to shore, and her boiler still marks the site.

Vessel

Built: 1864
Builder: Peck & Masters
Yard: Cleveland, Ohio
Material: Wood
Length: 121 ft
Beam: 21 ft
Tonnage: 300
Propulsion: Steam
Owners: James Playfair & Company

Loss

Date: September 29, 1907
Cause: Grounding
Location: Near Turning Island, Georgian Bay
Water: Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
Voyage: Byng Inlet, Ontario
Cargo: Log boom
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 0
Master: Not established

The Wreck Today

Depth: 6 ft
Condition: Boiler remains visible above water, marked as a navigation hazard
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: Not established

Position

Coordinates: 45.21° N 80.16° W
Accuracy: General area only
Nearest: Pointe au Baril, Ontario
Region: Georgian Bay & the North Channel

General area only: coordinate of Turning Island from the Canadian Geographical Names Database (Natural Resources Canada), marking the named place of loss recorded for this vessel, not a surveyed wreck position.