Boatnerd Discussion Forum

The passenger steamer Northwest sank the same way in 1918. She was cut in half to transit the Welland Canal. She was to be used in WW1. She was rebuilt as the Maplecourt and was sunk in WW2.

The Manola was not the only boat cut in half to transit the canals. A number of boats went through this process. However, one of these hulls, the Northwest, or should I say, one of these half hulls sank in Lake Huron just like the Manola.

The Manola was sold off-lakes for saltwater use. Because there was no St. Lawrence Seaway back then, she was cut in half at Buffalo Dry Dock for towing to the coast. The bow section was being towed by the tug Michigan when a squall put her on the bottom with the loss of all 11 on board. The stern section made it's way to the Collingwood yard and received a new forward section and launched as Mapledawn in 1920 or 1921. A photo & details can be found at BGSU and Dave Swayze's Great Lake's Shipwreck.

The vessel was in Lake Ontario in 1918. That indicates it was probably a laker cut in two so it would fit in then Welland and St. Lawrence canals on its way to salt water as part of the war effort in WW I.

If I remember correctly the ship was cut in half to transit the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence River on its way for use on the Atlantic.

From the History December 3.

In 1918, the forward end of the former Pittsburgh steamer Manola sank during a gale on Lake Ontario. The after end received a new forward end and sailed for several years as the Mapledawn.

How do you sink half a ship?