Shipwreck Report: Steam Tug Alfred P. Wright (1877–1886)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Alfred P. Wright (also recorded as A.P. Wright)
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 105722
• Vessel Type: Propeller Steam Tug (Wooden Hull)
• Built: 1877, by G. Notter, Buffalo, New York
• Final Location: Manistee Harbor, Manistee, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: November 29, 1886
• Cause: Storm – Line Broke, Fouled Wheel, Capsized
• Final Cargo: None (Towing a Schooner at Time of Loss)
• Loss of Life: None (Crew Survived), But 3 Lifesavers Perished Rescuing the Crew of A.J. Dewey
• Specifications Hull Material: Wood Length: Unknown (likely between 50–80 feet for a harbor Tug of this era)
• Gross Tonnage: 56 gross tons
• Net Tonnage 29 net tons
• Propulsion: Single-Screw Propeller, Steam-Powered
• Owner: Lewis Sands (Operated in Manistee, Michigan)

Operational History

The Alfred P. Wright was a wooden steam Tug built in 1877 by shipbuilder G. Notter in Buffalo, New York. She was designed for towing schooners and other vessels into and out of harbors, a crucial role in the Great Lakes lumber and shipping industries.

The Tug operated out of Manistee, Michigan, an important lumber port on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore. Her primary duty was assisting schooners carrying lumber and other bulk goods in and out of Manistee Harbour. Like many tugs of the era, she was small but powerful, built to handle rough harbor conditions and strong lake winds.

Final Voyage & Loss (November 29, 1886)

Weather Conditions:  A severe blizzard and gale struck Manistee on November 29, 1886, creating treacherous conditions for vessels in the harbor.

Incident Details:

The Alfred P. Wright was towing the Schooner A.J. Dewey when the storm intensified. At some point, her Towline parted, causing the Tug’s line to foul her propeller. With her wheel disabled, the Alfred P. Wright was no longer maneuverable in the storm. The Tug capsized in the freezing harbor waters, forcing the crew to cling to the overturned Hull in the icy gale.

Crew Rescue:  One crewman swam 1,000 feet to shore to seek help, a heroic feat given the extreme cold. He summoned the U.S. Lifesaving Service, who rushed to the harbor to assist. The lifesavers successfully rescued the Tug’s crew, but three lifesavers died while attempting to rescue the crew of the A.J. Dewey later that day.

Final Fate of the Vessel:

After capsizing, the Alfred P. Wright drifted ashore and was broken apart by the storm.  The vessel was a Total Loss and was never Rebuilt.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

Location: Near the entrance of Manistee Harbor, Michigan, Lake Michigan

Current Condition:  The wreck likely broke up and scattered due to waves and shifting sands. Some remnants may still exist near the harbour entrance or buried in the sandy bottom. Given the small size and wooden construction, major structural elements are unlikely to remain intact.

Potential for Discovery:

While no confirmed wreckage has been identified, modern side-scan sonar or magnetometer surveys could help locate any remaining artifacts. The harbour area is active with commercial and recreational boating, making an official wreck designation challenging.

Legacy and Significance

The Dangers of Towing in Stormy Conditions  The Alfred P. Wright’s loss highlights the hazards faced by Great Lakes tugs, particularly when towing schooners in heavy weather. If a Towline broke or became entangled, the Tug could quickly become disabled and at risk of capsizing.

A Heroic Crew & Lifesaving Efforts One crew member’s desperate swim through freezing water to shore saved his shipmates. The U.S. Lifesaving Service responded immediately, demonstrating the critical role these rescue teams played on the Great Lakes. Sadly, three lifesavers perished while trying to assist the Schooner A.J. Dewey later that day, making this incident part of a larger maritime tragedy.

The End of a Useful Tugboat  The Alfred P. Wright had been in service for nearly a decade, assisting lumber schooners in and out of Manistee Harbour. Her loss was a financial and operational blow to Manistee’s harbor traffic, forcing the purchase or reassignment of another Tug.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains records of Great Lakes steam tugs and shipping incidents.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com  Documents historic shipwrecks and lifesaving efforts on the lakes.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association  https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org  Conducts underwater surveys and wreck identification projects in Lake Michigan.
• Manistee County Historical Society Likely holds local newspaper archives or records related to the wreck and lifesaving efforts.

Conclusion

The Alfred P. Wright was a hardworking harbor Tug that met a tragic end in a blizzard on November 29, 1886, when her Towline broke and fouled her propeller, causing her to capsize.

Her crew miraculously survived, thanks to one sailor’s courageous swim through icy waters and the efforts of the U.S. Lifesaving Service. However, three lifesavers died while attempting to assist another vessel, the A.J. Dewey, making this event a somber chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.

While no confirmed remains of the Tug have been found, her story remains a testament to the dangers of towing operations and the bravery of those who worked the lakes.