Identification & Site Information:

  • Name: TRANSITER
  • Former Names: TRANSTREAM (post-1942), WITSUPPLY (post-1969)
  • Registration Number(s): Canadian Official Number 158633
  • Date Built and Launched: 1935
  • Measurements (original): Length 202 feet (61.6 metres), Beam 34 feet (10.4 metres), Depth 15.6 feet (4.75 metres), Gross Tonnage 1117, Net Tonnage 996
  • Measurements (post-Rebuild): Length 242.5 feet (73.9 metres), Gross Tonnage 1335, Net Tonnage 1119
  • Date Lost: February 17 (or 23), 1981

Vessel Type

Steel-hulled tank vessel—a fuel and liquid cargo carrier built for inland and coastal service, originally powered by two 4-cylinder oil engines.

Description

Built in 1935 by Horton Steel Works Ltd. in Fort Erie, Ontario, the Transiter was a purpose-built steel tank vessel designed for fuel transport by Transit Tankers & Terminals Ltd. She measured 202 feet (61.6 m) originally, powered by a 9″ x 16.5″ Arctic Atlas Diesel engine. The vessel underwent a major Rebuild in 1942 following a catastrophic fire and explosion the previous year, which included lengthening to 242.5 feet (73.9 m). The vessel was then renamed Transtream, and later Witsupply in 1969 under Challenger Ltd.

History

On July 9, 1941, while docked at River Rouge near Detroit, Michigan, the Transiter suffered a massive explosion and fire during fueling operations. Two crew members were killed in the blast, which severely damaged the vessel and engulfed the wharf area in flames. The fire was so intense that it was reported in major newspapers across the Midwest and resulted in the vessel being declared a total constructive loss. She was Abandoned to underwriters, a legal process of transferring ownership after insurance settlement.

In 1942, the Transiter was salvaged and Rebuilt at Muir Bros. Drydock Co. in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. She was lengthened and renamed Transtream, returning to active service. In 1969, the vessel was acquired by Challenger Ltd. and renamed Witsupply.

Her long service ended in 1981 when she capsized and Foundered off Cabo de la Vela, Colombia while under tow to Cartagena for scrapping. Sources conflict on whether this occurred on February 17 or 23.

Final Disposition

  • Cause of Loss: Capsized while being towed for scrapping
  • Location: Off Cabo de la Vela, Colombia
  • Depth/Coordinates: Exact coordinates currently unlisted in known public records
  • Date Lost: February 17 or 23, 1981

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. The wreck site has not been positively located or documented with sonar or dive investigation.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No active navigation advisories, obstructions, or hazards reported related to the vessel’s final location.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Transiter is a notable vessel in Canadian and Great Lakes maritime history, not only for her function as a tank vessel but also for surviving a disastrous 1941 fire and explosion at River Rouge—a tragedy that claimed two lives. Her post-reconstruction life under different names—Transtream and Witsupply—represents the long operational lives of some working lake vessels. Although she ultimately sank off Colombia during her final voyage to the scrapyard, her early misfortune and rebirth make her a unique case among surviving fire-damaged vessels.

Suggested Keywords and Categories

  • Great Lakes Tankers
  • Transiter Explosion
  • River Rouge Maritime History
  • 1941 Ship Fires
  • Canadian Tank Vessel Rebuilds
  • Transtream, Witsupply
  • Maritime Salvage and Reconstruction
  • Caribbean Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms

  • Constructive Total Loss: A situation where a vessel is damaged so severely that the cost of repairs exceeds its value.
  • Underwriters: Insurance providers who assume liability for ship damage and loss.
  • Scuttling vs. Foundering: Scuttling is intentional sinking, while foundering refers to sinking due to loss of buoyancy or stability.
  • Tank Vessel: A ship designed to carry liquid cargo in bulk, often with internal tanks and safety systems for flammable substances.