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SS Burton
 Gig Harbor, WA
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Entry Type: Shore
Aquatic Life: Might See Something
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SS Burton is a shore accessible salt water dive site, located in Gig Harbor, WA.
The Burton was a 95’ long wood hulled steamship used as a passenger and cargo ferry by Mosquito Fleet in the early 1900’s. She was eventually decommissioned and later caught fire and sunk in 40’ of water near what is now the Tides Tavern in Gig Harbor. It is a nice dive site for the historical minded, but there is little structure remaining.
How to get there: The Burton is located near the Tides Tavern in the middle of the channel in Gig Harbor in 40’ of water. You will need a depth finder to locate it for sure, and better yet a GPS.
The entire hull of The Burton has long since decayed and disappeared leaving only the boiler and some of the deck equipment and propulsion system lying on the bottom. There are a few stacks of the fire bricks laying next to the boiler. The boiler tubes house many small gunnels, sculpin and shrimp, each claiming their own tube for a home.
The Burton is infamous for developing one of the biggest feuds in the history of the Mosquito Fleet. Paired off against the steamer Vashon, the two bitter rivals made three runs a day between Tacoma and Vashon Island, leaving the dock at the same moment and racing to see who could pick up the waiting passengers first. Side by side, nearly touching (and sometimes bumping) each other, they would steam, full speed, while hurling insults at the other boat.
The losing boat in the race would often board the winning vessel at the destination to engage in a fierce battle on the deck, while loading the now frightened passengers for the return trip! What a fascinating time in history and we as divers are privileged to be allowed observe it.
Special Restrictions:
The Burton is located in the middle of the very active Gig Harbor. If you plan to dive this site, do so in the winter or off season where boat traffic is at a minimum. Make sure to use a dive flag and surface using your anchor line to stay close to your boat. There is very real danger of boats coming close by. Site listed as intermediate simply due to the boat traffic overhead and the silty bottom potential.
The boiler and engine are all that remain. The steam engine is pretty cool if you are a historical boat nut like I am, but its a small site and not much life. Not worth a special trip, but if in the area after other dives, worth looking at.
There is a boiler... that’s about it. There is a bit of machinery laying about and a few common sculpin and gunnels but not an exciting location if you are interested in sea life. You may find the remains of the wreck interesting is you are a wreck/history enthusiast. Beware of the location though in high boating season and keep safe.
http://www.theperfectdive.com/DEF-Site.asp?sID=183
http://www.boydski.com/diving/photos/wrecks/Burton/BurtonWreck.htm
http://www.tidestavern.com/