Identification & Site Information

• Name: BOB ANDERSON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 2866
• Type at Loss: Steam Tug, wooden Hull
• Date Built and Launched: 1869
• Builder: Unknown (Further research required)
• Measurements: Specific dimensions not currently available (Further research required)
• Date Lost: Listed as “lost or otherwise out of service” by 1884
• Place of Loss: Unknown (Further research required)
• Lake: Presumed Great Lakes region (likely Lake Erie, Lake Huron, or Lake Michigan based on similar vessels’ operational areas)

Vessel Type

Wooden Steam Tug

Description

The BOB ANDERSON (US#2866) was a wooden-hulled steam Tug, typical of vessels used in the late 19th century for towing ships, barges, and log rafts across the Great Lakes. Steam tugs like this were integral to the booming maritime trade and industrial sectors, providing essential support services for larger cargo vessels, particularly in busy ports and narrow waterways.

History

Built in 1869, the BOB ANDERSON served during a time of rapid industrial growth around the Great Lakes, when tugs were vital for manoeuvring larger vessels in congested harbours and assisting with towing operations for the logging and shipping industries. Unfortunately, there is limited available information on her specific operational history, ownership, or notable events during her service life.

By 1884, the BOB ANDERSON was listed in the Merchant Vessels of the United States registry as “lost or otherwise out of service.” The lack of specific details regarding her final fate leaves room for speculation. She may have been wrecked, scuttled, decommissioned, or simply retired due to age and obsolescence, a common fate for many wooden steam tugs as steel-hulled vessels began to dominate the maritime landscape in the late 19th century.

Final Disposition

Lost or otherwise out of service by 1884. Specific details regarding the nature and location of her loss are unknown.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed discovery or recovery information exists for this vessel.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to this vessel.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The BOB ANDERSON (US#2866) is one of many lesser-documented steam tugs that operated on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. While specific details about her construction, service, and ultimate fate remain elusive, her inclusion in maritime registries reflects her role in supporting the bustling commerce and industry of the region. The absence of detailed records highlights the challenges historians face when tracing the histories of smaller work vessels that were crucial but often overlooked in the grand narratives of Great Lakes shipping.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: BOB ANDERSON 1869 steam Tug, Great Lakes tugboats, 19th-century steam tugs, Merchant Vessels of the United States, wooden-hulled tugboats
• Categories: Great Lakes tugboats, 19th Century Steam Vessels, Unlocated Shipwrecks, Vessels Out of Service
• Glossary Terms:
• Steam Tug: A small, powerful vessel powered by steam, used to tow ships or barges in harbours, rivers, and across lakes.
• Out of Service: A term used in maritime registries to indicate a vessel is no longer in active operation, due to loss, scrapping, decommissioning, or obsolescence.