Identification & Site Information

• Name: BOB ANDERSON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 21198 (possibly 2198 due to numbering inconsistencies)
• Type at Loss: Propeller steam Tug, wood-hulled rafting Tug
• Date Built and Launched: 1859
• Builder: LaFrinier, Cleveland, Ohio
• Measurements: 101 ft (30.8 m) length, 19 ft (5.8 m) beam, 11 ft (3.4 m) depth; 118 gross tons, 60 net tons
• Date Lost: July 29, 1899
• Place of Loss: Off Grand Marais, Minnesota
• Lake: Lake Superior

Vessel Type

Wood-Hulled Propeller Steam Tug (Rafting Tug)

Description

The BOB ANDERSON was a wooden-hulled steam-powered Tug, primarily designed for towing large rafts of sawlogs across the Great Lakes, a common practice during the logging boom of the 19th century. Her robust construction made her suitable for navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Superior, while her size and power enabled her to manage substantial loads.

History

Built in 1859 by LaFrinier in Cleveland, Ohio, the BOB ANDERSON served primarily as a rafting Tug, towing large log rafts from logging sites to mills and ports across the Great Lakes. The timber industry was a cornerstone of the region’s economy during the late 19th century, and vessels like the BOB ANDERSON played a critical role in transporting raw materials to feed the growing demand for lumber in rapidly expanding cities.

At some point in her career, the BOB ANDERSON reportedly sank in Springwells (Detroit), Michigan, alongside the Tug L. L. LYON (US#14708). Both vessels lay submerged for an extended period before being resurrected prior to 1897. The reasons behind their recovery and return to service are unclear, but the practice of salvaging sunken wooden vessels was not uncommon, especially when the cost of new construction was prohibitive.

On July 29, 1899, while towing a large raft of sawlogs off Grand Marais, Minnesota, the BOB ANDERSON caught fire. The cause of the fire is not detailed in historical records, but such incidents were frequent among wooden steam-powered vessels due to the combination of flammable materials and high-temperature machinery. The crew managed to escape the burning Tug and was rescued from shore by canoe. The Tug MYSTIC subsequently towed the burning BOB ANDERSON into deeper water, where she burned to the waterline and eventually sank.

Interestingly, there is another Tug named BOB ANDERSON (US#2866, built 1869), recorded in the 1884 Merchant Vessels as “lost or otherwise out of service,” though unrelated to the vessel lost in 1899.

Final Disposition

Burned to the waterline and sank in Lake Superior after being towed into deeper water by the Tug MYSTIC.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—the exact location of the BOB ANDERSON’s wreck has not been confirmed or documented in historical records.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories or obstructions related to the wreck site off Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Shipwreck Stories

Conclusion

The story of the BOB ANDERSON reflects the broader narrative of the Great Lakes’ timber trade and the critical role that rafting tugs played in the regional economy. Despite her initial sinking in Detroit and subsequent recovery, the vessel met her ultimate fate in Lake Superior due to fire—an all-too-common hazard for wooden steamships of the era. Although no lives were lost, the incident underscores the precarious nature of maritime operations during this period. The unresolved discrepancies in her official registration number add a layer of historical complexity, emblematic of the often incomplete records from this era.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: BOB ANDERSON Tug, Grand Marais shipwreck, Lake Superior rafting Tug, Great Lakes steam Tug fire, LaFrinier Cleveland shipbuilding, wooden propeller Tug
• Categories: Lake Superior Shipwrecks, Wooden Steam Tugs, 19th Century Shipwrecks, Logging Industry Vessels, Fire-Related Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Rafting Tug: A Tugboat specifically designed to tow large floating rafts of logs, a common practice in the Great Lakes’ logging industry during the 19th century.
• Burned to the Waterline: A term describing a ship that has burned down to the surface of the water, typically leaving the Hull partially or entirely submerged.
• Springwells (Detroit): A historic area in Detroit, Michigan, known for its industrial activity and maritime connections.