A. B. Conmee (Wooden Tug, built 1881) – Thunder Bay Dump Site (Derelict ID No. 34)

Registry & Technical Specifications

  • Built: 1881, Owen Sound, Ontario
  • Type: Wooden screw Tug
  • Dimensions: 81 × 20 ft; 71 gross tons
  • Registry Origin: Owen Sound, ON
  • Historical Use: Likely served in harbor towing, Dredge support, and forestry transport on Georgian Bay
  • Registry Tracking: Official Canadian registry search recommended (post-1881 List of Ships)

Archaeology & Site Context

  • Documented as Confirmed Derelict No. 34 in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s wreck dump area (Academia, russelbrothers.ca).
    • Sonar surveys and archaeological charts confirm its wreck identity (Academia);
  • Located in Lake Superior, off Thunder Bay, Ontario—the “Ship Graveyard” zone, now preserved by heritage mandates.

Dive-Site Condition

  • As part of Sanctuary archaeology reports, steel logs confirm structural remnants in moderate water depths (Academia).
  • Likely submerged in 30–60 ft of water; recognizable wooden frames and machinery are expected for such vessels.

Archival Newspaper & Archive Search Strategy

Suggested queries:

  • "A. B. Conmee" Tug Owen Sound 1881 launched
  • "Conmee" Owen Sound Tug Dredge operations
  • "A. B. Conmee" wreck Thunder Bay

Target Sources:

  • Owen Sound Sun-Times (1881–1900) for launch and operations
  • Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal for abandonment or site mentions

Heritage Narrative Outline

  1. Launch & Purpose – Built in 1881 in Owen Sound; instrumental in dredging, logging, and harbor work.
  2. Operational Career – Served through early 1900s, transporting goods and assisting marine traffic.
  3. End of Life – Scuttled in Thunder Bay during harbor expansion; now archaeological site.
  4. Modern Value – Part of heritage documentation, offering insight into 19th-century wooden Tug design and marine labor history.

Next Steps

  • Retrieve Canadian registry documents (Owen Sound launch records)
  • Run archival newspaper searches as outlined
  • Request NOAA dive and ROV logs for detailed site data
  • Assemble technical narrative, historical context, and site documentation into full profile