Story
This tug was built in 1906 by Victoria Machinery Depot Co. Ltd..
Historical Notes
In 1906 this tug was in service as tug attached to dredge Ajax. This vessel foundered in Ladysmith Harbour but was later refloated. On December 27, 1952 this tug, under Captain Don Horie, left Vancouver for the booming ground at Gowlland Harbour with threatening weather. This vessel sailed up the Georgia Strait and approached Cape Mudge around midnight in a southeast gale with flood tide from the north. The tug met a "vicious combination of dangerous tide rip, strong southeast wind, and heavy seas". The sea overwhelmed the tug and on December 27, 1952 and this vessel foundered and sank in 70 fathoms just south of Cape Mudge, Quadra Island BC Canada. This vessel sank so quickly that there was no time for a radiotelephone distress call or to lower the boats. Seven lives were lost.
Owners & Masters
In 1906-1933 she was owned by The Minister of Public Works, Ottawa ON Canada.
In 1934 she was owned by Herman Thorsen, Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1939-1943 she was owned by Canadian Tugboat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
In 1946-1952 she was owned by Coastal Tugboat Co. Ltd., Vancouver BC Canada.
Masters
Captain Sonum; Captain Don Horie (1952);
References
- Transportation Safety Board of Canada (1993)
- Canada List of Shipping
- Photo Courtesy of Nauticapedia Collection
- List of Shipping Casualties Resulting in Total Loss in British Columbia and Coastal Waters Since 1897 (undated manuscript document)
- Vancouver Sun (Vancouver BC) Tuesday December 30, 1952 page 1
