Fish Tug Chas. A. Trinter (1909–1916)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Chas. A. Trinter
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 206047
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden gas-powered fish Tug
• Builder: Unknown shipyard, Vermilion, Ohio
• Year Built & Launched: 1909
• Specifications: Length: 35 ft (10.7 m)  Beam: 10 ft (3.0 m)  Depth: 4 ft (1.2 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 8 GT
• Net Tonnage: 5 NT
• Date Lost: January 6, 1916  Location of Loss: Off Erie, Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
• Cause of Loss: Fire (burned to the waterline and sank) \Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Fishing gear

Vessel Description & Service History

The Chas. A. Trinter was a small wooden fish Tug, built in 1909 in Vermilion, Ohio. Like many fish tugs of the time, she was used for commercial fishing operations on Lake Erie.  Owned by the Southwest Fish Co. of Vermilion, Ohio, she was part of a fleet of tugs that supported the fishing industry along the Ohio and Pennsylvania coasts. Registered out of Sandusky, Ohio, the vessel was designed to operate in both open waters and nearshore fishing grounds.  Her gasoline-powered engine was standard for fish tugs of this era, allowing for extended trips along the lake. Fish tugs like the Chas. A. Trinter were essential for the Great Lakes fishing industry, as they could haul nets, transport catches, and navigate in rougher waters compared to smaller fishing boats.

Final Voyage & Loss (1916)

On January 6, 1916, the Chas. A. Trinter had been overwintering in Erie, Pennsylvania.  An early thaw allowed her to leave port, but while offshore, a fire broke out on board. The fire spread rapidly, and the crew was unable to control it.  The vessel burned to the waterline and eventually sank.  No lives were lost, and the crew was able to escape safely.

Notably, the Southwest Fish Co. had reportedly lost another fish Tug to fire just a month earlier, suggesting possible maintenance or fuel storage issues within the fleet.

Final Disposition & Salvage

• Declared a Total Loss after sinking.
• No known salvage efforts.
• No confirmed wreck discovery.
• No confirmed wreck site identified.
• Possible remains may exist offshore near Erie, Pennsylvania, in Lake Erie.

NOTMARs & Advisories

 Fire was a major hazard on early gas-powered vessels, especially those carrying highly flammable fuel supplies. The early 20th century saw many fish tugs lost to fire, often due to fuel leaks, engine overheating, or onboard lanterns igniting vapours. Lake Erie’s fishing industry relied on wooden tugs well into the 20th century, though many were later replaced by steel-hulled vessels that were less prone to fire.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Chas. A. Trinter was a typical early 20th-century Great Lakes fish Tug, serving in the Lake Erie fishing industry until her loss in 1916. Her sinking due to fire off Erie, Pennsylvania, highlights the dangers of early gas-powered fishing vessels, particularly those operating in extreme weather conditions. Though her wreck has never been located, she remains one of many lost fish tugs that once supported the thriving Great Lakes fishing trade.