Identification & Site Information

  • Built: 1932 in Midland, Ontario, originally named Col. E. A. Oliver
  • Official Number: C154870
  • Type: Steel propeller Tug, wooden Deck and superstructure
  • Dimensions: 47 ft × 11 ft × 5 ft; 18 gross tons
  • Registry: Midland, Ontario

Construction & Ownership

  • Constructed in 1932 in Midland, Ontario
  • Originally carried name Col. E. A. Oliver; later renamed Gary D.
  • Registered out of Midland, Ontario; ownership records remain to be further researched

Operational Role

  • Functioned as a small steel-hulled Tug in the North Channel of Lake Huron, typically in harbor towing and short-distance support roles
  • No specific operational history readily available in standard Great Lakes registers

Loss Incident

Final Disposition & Site Status

  • Vessel was effectively lost at sea; no records of Hull removal or salvage documented
  • Likely remains lie near shoreline adjacent to Strawberry Island; no modern surveys or diver reports located
  • Wreck status: Unexamined; potentially hazardous debris near navigation routes

Research Gaps & Further Investigation

  • Ownership details: Consulting Transport Canada or Ontario vessel registry archives for original owner, renaming records, and operational logs
  • Explosion & fire investigation: Seek Ontario Ministry of Transport incident files or local maritime insurance/salvage documents from 1958
  • Casualty records: Examine crew lists and Coast Guard reports for any injuries or fatalities
  • Wreck survey potential: A small-scale remote sensing or shore dive survey near Strawberry Island Light could confirm location and remaining structure

Conclusion

Gary D. was a small, steel-hulled Tug active on Lake Huron when destroyed by an explosion and fire on 5 August 1958. Though modest in size and unsung in maritime registers, its dramatic loss speaks to the risks faced by working vessels even in the mid-20th century. The wreck remains undocumented—offering an opportunity for focused archival retrieval and possible field survey.