The pleasure yacht Wawinet sank on September 21, 1942, in Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada. The Wawinet was owned by retired NHL defenseman Bert Corbeau who played for the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Corbeau was Plant Supervisor at Midland Foundry and Machine Company, of Midland, Ontario, and he was taking the workers out for an evening boating excursion.
Corbeau was an experienced captain and knew the waters and channels very well. The Wawinet suddenly listed over and took on water, just south of Beausoleil Island, and began taking on water. 25 of the 42 men on board, including Corbeau, perished in the accident. To this day, there are still many questions about what caused the Wawinet to sink.
Joining me for this episode are Bert Mason of Penetanguishene, Ontario, and Brien DesRochers of Parkhill, Ontario, whose relatives died on the Wawinet on that day. It remains one of the worse tragedies in Great Lakes History.
Written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano. Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.
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