Source: Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit-Mercy
Name of original file : 130141_130150_F.jp2
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Henry S. Sill
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: 95382
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1875 by Carroll Brothers, Buffalo, New York
- Measurements: Length: 62.8 ft (19.1 m) Beam: 15.8 ft (4.8 m) Depth: 7.5 ft (2.3 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 35 tons
- Net Tonnage: 17 tons
- Date Lost: May 6, 1913
- Place of Loss: Marine City, Michigan, St. Clair River
- Lake: St. Clair River
Vessel Type
The Henry S. Sill was a wooden-hulled, screw-propelled Tugboat (Towboat), designed for towing vessels in harbors, rivers, and along the Great Lakes.
Description
Constructed in 1875 by the Carroll Brothers of Buffalo, New York, the Henry S. Sill was a small but powerful Tugboat built for a variety of towing tasks. The vessel featured a single high-pressure engine, powered by a Firebox Boiler measuring 13.5 x 6 feet, and drove a single screw propeller. With its compact size and sturdy build, it was ideal for harbor work, assisting larger vessels, and handling tows through narrow or congested waterways.
History
The Henry S. Sill had a nearly 40-year career on the Great Lakes, serving various owners and operating in several ports.
Initial Service (1875-1878):
The Tug was first enrolled in Buffalo, New York, on July 29, 1875, and was originally owned by Anderson & Doyle of Buffalo. Early in its service, it was involved in harbor towing and general maritime support duties around Buffalo.
Subsequent Ownership and Service (1878-1899):
In March 1878, ownership passed to Donaldson, Sisson & Company and the Carroll Brothers. By 1879, the Tug was owned by F.N. Knapp of Racine, Wisconsin, indicating it had moved operations to the western shores of Lake Michigan.
By 1899, the Henry S. Sill was under the ownership of Warren Hussey, with slight modifications recorded in her measurements:
- Length increased to 63 ft (19.2 m)
- Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m)
- Depth: 7.6 ft (2.3 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 37 tons
- Net Tonnage: 17 tons
Throughout her career, the tug played an essential role in towing operations along Lake Michigan and the St. Clair River, assisting with shipping traffic, moving barges, and supporting maritime commerce.
Final Disposition
On May 6, 1913, the Henry S. Sill caught fire while docked in Marine City, Michigan, on the St. Clair River. The fire quickly spread, consuming the wooden Hull and reducing the vessel to a Total Loss. The cause of the fire was not documented, but such incidents were common in wooden steam-powered vessels due to boiler malfunctions or mishandling of flammable materials. No salvage efforts were recorded after the fire.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Henry S. Sill have been issued.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Henry S. Sill represents the critical role of small tugboats in the development of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Serving ports from Buffalo to Racine and finally the St. Clair River, the tug provided essential support to larger vessels navigating busy harbours and waterways. Her fiery end in Marine City in 1913 underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden-hulled steam tugs in an era when fire hazards were a constant threat.
Suggested Keywords: Henry S. Sill, St. Clair River shipwrecks, Great Lakes tugboats, Marine City maritime history, wooden steam tugs, Great Lakes towing operations.
Categories: Shipwrecks of the St. Clair River, 19th Century Great Lakes Tugs, Tugboat Fires and Disasters.
Glossary Terms: Screw Tug, high-pressure steam engine, Towboat, Fire Loss Shipwreck, Marine City Shipwrecks.
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