Shamrock (1926)

The steam tug Shamrock was launched as the screw steamer Mamie in 1887, powered by a compound steam engine producing 150 combined horsepower. It wrecked on Vivian Island on the north side of Algerine Passage, west of Powell River, on the misty night of December 8, 1926. The crew were able to row ashore; the vessel was declared a total loss and there is no account of salvage other than a few items taken by divers in the 1970s.

The wreck site covers a 15 meter long stretch of seabed approximately 14 meters deep, off the southwest corner of Vivian Island. Most of the vessel’s equipment lies where it fell, from the propeller to the bow anchor winch. The site has historical value as it includes the only steeple steam engine known to exist underwater on a wreck in B.C.

Note: British Columbia’s Heritage Conservation Act automatically protects all heritage wrecks, including the remains of all wrecked vessels and aircraft once two or more years have passed since the date of loss. It is illegal to damage, alter or remove a heritage object from a heritage wreck except under a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch.