W.P. Thew

Unlike many of the intact shipwrecks throughout Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the W.P. Thew shipwreck is broken up across the bottom of Lake Huron in 80 feet of water. The vessel, which was built out of wood in 1884, collided with a much larger steel freighter during a foggy night in 1909. The result was catastrophic to W.P. Thew, as demonstrated by its now-scattered remains. Since its sides collapsed, much of the vessel's internal machinery is visible. Seen here are numerous items including a large boiler where water was heated to supply steam for its steam engine, and a windlass used to raise heavy anchors and chains.