Identification & Site Information

• Name: JONES, B. B.
• Official Number: 2158
• Type at Loss: Tug (Towboat), wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1864
• Builder: Benj B. Jones, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Original Owner: Edmund Trowbridge, Detroit, Michigan
• Measurements: 111.6 ft (34 m) length, 19.8 ft (6 m) beam, 8.3 ft (2.5 m) depth; 171 55/95 tons (old measurement system)
• Date Lost: May 25, 1871
• Place of Loss: Head of Stag Island, St. Clair River

Vessel Type

Wooden Screw Propeller Tugboat

Description

The B. B. JONES was a wooden screw propeller Tug built in 1864 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by her namesake, Benj B. Jones. Measuring over 111 feet in length, she was one of the larger tugs of her time, designed to perform towing operations and assist larger vessels navigating the challenging waterways of the Great Lakes and their connecting rivers. Initially owned by Edmund Trowbridge of Detroit, Michigan, the Tug played a significant role in both commercial towing and maritime rescue operations.

History

After being enrolled in Detroit on August 29, 1864, the B. B. JONES served as a Towboat on the Great Lakes. By April 2, 1865, she was remeasured in Detroit, reflecting slight adjustments to her dimensions, now listed as 112 ft x 20.4 ft x 9 ft with 108.92 gross tons. During her operational years, the B. B. JONES was involved in various towing and salvage missions, a critical service on the Great Lakes where sudden storms and mechanical failures frequently endangered vessels.

One of her notable salvage operations involved the Schooner HYPHEN in 1868. After the Schooner ran aground on Point Pelee during a storm, the B. B. JONES managed to pull her off the reef. Unfortunately, the HYPHEN became unmanageable shortly after and capsized, resulting in the loss of three crew members.

Final Disposition

The B. B. JONES met her end on May 25, 1871, when her boiler exploded while docked at Port Huron, Michigan. The explosion was catastrophic, resulting in the deaths of seven people. The destruction caused by the explosion rendered the vessel unsalvageable as an operational Tug.

However, the Hull was raised on June 29, 1871, and moved to the head of Stag Island in the St. Clair River, where it was likely Abandoned or repurposed in some form. The boiler explosion underscores the dangers associated with early steam technology, particularly on vessels where high-pressure boilers were prone to failure due to material limitations and inadequate safety protocols.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no reports of the Hull being located or preserved beyond its movement to Stag Island after the explosion.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the B. B. JONES wreck site in the St. Clair River.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Port Huron Museum

Conclusion

The B. B. JONES played a vital role in Great Lakes maritime operations during her seven years of service, performing towing and salvage duties across the region. Her involvement in the attempted salvage of the Schooner HYPHEN illustrates the challenging conditions faced by Tug operators at the time. The boiler explosion that destroyed the vessel in 1871 reflects the inherent risks associated with early steam technology, which, despite revolutionizing maritime operations, posed significant safety hazards. The deaths of seven crew members in the explosion marked a tragic end to the Tug’s career and highlight the dangers faced by mariners during this transformative period in Great Lakes history.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: B. B. JONES Tugboat, Port Huron boiler explosion, Stag Island shipwreck, Great Lakes Tug operations, Edmund Trowbridge Detroit, HYPHEN Schooner salvage
• Categories: St. Clair River Shipwrecks, Wooden Tugboats, Boiler Explosion Disasters, Great Lakes Towboat History, 19th Century Maritime Accidents
• Glossary Terms:
• Boiler Explosion: A catastrophic event where a steam boiler fails due to excessive pressure, material fatigue, or operational errors, often resulting in severe damage and loss of life.
• Towboat (Tugboat): A small, powerful vessel designed to tow or push larger ships, often used in harbors, rivers, and narrow waterways.
• Stag Island: An island in the St. Clair River near Port Huron, Michigan, historically significant for maritime navigation and shipwrecks.