Identification & Site Information
- Name: Violet G.
- Official No.: C138009 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, National Park Service)
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven steam Tug, used in fisheries or harbor services
- Built: 1917, Rossport, Ontario (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Dimensions: 51 ft × 16 ft × 6 ft; 37 gross tons, 25 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date of Loss: July 21, 1927
- Location: Booth Dock, Port Arthur, Ontario (Lake Superior)
- Cause: Collision with Steamer America, crushed against dock
Incident Details
- On Thursday, July 21, 1927, the Tug Violet G was moored at Booth Dock when the passenger–freight Steamer America suddenly powered into the slip.
- The America crushed the Stern of Violet G, tearing away a roughly 20 ft section of dock in the process (National Park Service, Facebook).
- Fortunately, all three crew members onboard escaped without injury (OSHA).
- Immediately following the collision, America ran aground on rocks at the head of the dock and required assistance to be refloated (National Park Service).
- The incident also damaged another Tug (Con Lynch) and a lighthouse keeper’s gas launch (National Park Service).
Aftermath & Historical Context
- No fatalities or injuries were recorded.
- America was carrying passengers and a cargo of fruit and package freight at the time, according to contemporary press reports (National Park Service).
- Although the Tug was crushed beyond repair and struck from registry, no formal insurance or legal outcomes are documented in accessible sources—investigation records might exist in Port Arthur harbor logs or Dominion archives.
Archival Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“V” list): Entry on Violet G. with build data, specs, and loss summary (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Detroit Free Press (July 23, 1927): Detailed press account of the collision, crew escape, and damage to dock and other vessels (National Park Service).
- GLSPS Facebook page: Confirms details and date of loss (Facebook).
Wreck & Diving Prospects
- As the vessel was crushed and likely removed or salvaged shortly afterward, no wreckage remains for diving—if any debris lies underwater, it’s probably broken and buried.
- No sonar or archaeological surveys have targeted this event; the site remains archival knowledge only.
Recommended Research Avenues
| Area | Research Strategy |
|---|---|
| Dockmaster & harbor logs | Examine Port Arthur Port Authority records from July 1927 for docking accidents and damage reports |
| Marine insurance claims | Investigate whether the Booth Steamship Line or vessel owners filed claims |
| Local newspapers | Review Port Arthur News-Chronicle and Duluth News Tribune around late July 1927 for follow-up and legal notices |
| Civil litigation records | Search Ontario court archives for damage suits involving Booth Dock or America |
| Regular shipping records | Track fate of America (she stayed in service until sinking in 1924 at Isle Royale, refloated, and remained in service beyond 1927) (Wikipedia, iri.forest.mtu.edu, National Park Service, Facebook, Wikipedia) |
Conclusion
The Violet G. was destroyed when the Steamer America unexpectedly rammed the dock in Port Arthur, crushing the Tug and parts of the dock but fortunately causing no injuries. Although a straightforward accident, the incident impacted local maritime operations and infrastructure. There’s no wreck to dive on, but the event is well-documented in period newspaper records and maritime registries.
- Locate and transcribe the original Detroit Free Press article,
- Contact Port Arthur Archives for docks and damage reports,
- Or search for insurance and legal documents related to the incident?