The Shipwreck of the Dubuque (1877)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Dubuque
• Official Number: 6149
• Vessel Type: Wooden Steam Barge (Originally a Propeller Steamer)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Built By: D. O’Conner
• Year Built: 1857
• Built At: Buffalo, New York
• Measurements Length: 145 ft (44.2 m) Beam: 23 ft (7.0 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
• Tonnage: 276 tons

Vessel Type & Description

The Dubuque was originally constructed as a wooden propeller steamer, designed for cargo and freight transport on the Great Lakes. However, by 1872, the vessel was converted into a Barge, likely due to age and changing economic demands.

Following its Conversion, the Dubuque was used as a towable cargo Barge, typically towed by a steam-powered Tugboat alongside other barges.

Final Voyage & Disaster

• Date of Loss: September 6, 1877
• Location: Long Point, Lake Erie
• Cause of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: None

The Incident

On the night of September 6, 1877, the Dubuque was being towed by the steam Tug Burnside along with three other barges—the Rio Grande, the Danube, and the Eliza.

As the convoy approached Long Point on Lake Erie, they were met with increasingly severe weather conditions. The storm intensified, making it impossible for the Burnside to maintain control over its tow.

🌊 The Tug was forced to sever the Towline, leaving the barges to fend for themselves.

• The Danube and Eliza managed to make it to port independently.
• The Dubuque and Rio Grande were not so lucky.

🚢 The Dubuque ran aground on Long Point, where it was left stranded. Initially, there was hope that the vessel could be salvaged, but after several days of pounding waves, it was determined that the ship was too far gone to be saved. By September 14, the vessel had been fully stripped and Abandoned.

Aftermath & Legacy

• The Dubuque was never refloated and eventually broke apart, becoming another forgotten wreck along Long Point’s treacherous shoreline.
• The ship was one of many vessels lost in the same storm, demonstrating the hazards of towing barges on the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Wreck Database

Conclusion

The wreck of the Dubuque is a classic example of how unpredictable storms on the Great Lakes could turn routine voyages into disasters. While no lives were lost, the event highlights the risks of towing barges during the late 19th century, especially in dangerous areas like Long Point.

Though little remains of the Dubuque today, its story is a reminder of the countless wooden vessels that met similar fates in the stormy waters of the Great Lakes.

Keywords & Categories 🚢 Dubuque shipwreck🌊 Lake Erie wrecks⚓ Lost Great Lakes barges💀 Maritime disasters 1877📜 Shipwreck history 🌩 Storm-related sinkings