Identification & Site Information:
• Name, Former Names: George N. Brady
• Registration Number(s): US 10244
• Date Built and Launched: 1865.
• Measurements:
• Length: 102 feet (31.1 m)
• Beam: 20 feet (6.1 m)
• Depth: 10.8 feet (3.3 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 165 tons
• Net Tonnage: 123 tons.
• Date Lost: August 24, 1892.
• Value: $4,000 at the time of loss.
Vessel Type
The George N. Brady was a wooden propeller steam Tug, designed primarily for towing operations and assistance in moving log rafts and vessels across the Great Lakes, specifically on Lake St. Clair.
Description
The George N. Brady was a dependable workhorse of its era, contributing to the vital logging and transportation industries. Propeller tugs such as this were critical for towing log rafts across inland waterways and assisting larger vessels in navigation. Its robust design and wooden Hull made it a reliable tool for the towing trade during the mid-to-late 19th century.
History
On August 24, 1892, the George N. Brady departed on a routine operation, towing a log raft across Lake St. Clair. Accompanied by the Tug Sumner, the voyage initially seemed uneventful. However, flames suddenly erupted around the smokestack, likely due to a fire in the boiler or exhaust system.
The crew sprang into action, but their efforts to contain the blaze were futile as the fire spread rapidly. Realizing the inevitability of their situation, the crew Abandoned the vessel, safely transferring to the Sumner. The burning George N. Brady was set adrift, and the flames illuminated the evening sky, a stark and fiery spectacle visible for miles.
Eventually, the Tug drifted towards the American shore, near Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Within a short time, the fire consumed the vessel, and it sank approximately three miles above Grosse Pointe.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the George N. Brady settled below the waters of Lake St. Clair, where it became a hazard to navigation. The submerged remains posed a significant risk, prompting warnings to vessels traversing the area.
Located By & Date Found
No records indicate a specific rediscovery of the wreck site. However, its approximate location is documented as three miles above Grosse Pointe, Michigan, in Lake St. Clair.
NOTMARs & Advisories
• The wreck was identified as a navigation hazard in Lake St. Clair following its loss.
• Mariners were warned to maintain vigilance when navigating in the area where the vessel sank.
Resources & Links
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Detailed accounts and historical records of the George N. Brady.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Repository of shipwreck data and historical reports.
• Great Lakes Ships Database: Vessel information and archival resources.
• The Equity: Contemporary sources covering maritime incidents and losses.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
• Keywords: George N. Brady, Lake St. Clair shipwreck, Grosse Pointe Tug fire, wooden steam Tug, log raft towing, Great Lakes shipwrecks, maritime disasters.
• Categories: Lake St. Clair Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Tugs, 19th-Century Maritime History, Fire-Related Vessel Losses.
Glossary Terms
• Log Raft: A collection of timber logs bound together for transport across waterways.
• Propeller Steam Tug: A steam-powered vessel equipped with a propeller for towing operations.
• Smokestack Fire: A fire originating from the exhaust or boiler stack, often caused by flammable residues or overheating.
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