Shipwreck Report: Steam Tug J. R. Worswick (1878–1894)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: J. R. Worswick (also recorded as J. R. Warwick in some sources)
• Official Number: 75993
• Vessel Type: Propeller Steam Tug (Wooden Hull)
• Built: 1878, by H.D. Root, Lorain, Ohio
• Final Location: 3 miles east of the piers at Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
• Date Lost: November 1, 1894
• Cause: Foundered under unknown circumstances
• Final Cargo: None Loss of Life: None – Entire crew survived
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  •  Length: 48 feet (14.6 meters) Beam: 11 feet (3.4 meters) Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 11 gross tons,
• Net Tonnage 6 net tons
• Propulsion: Single-Screw Propeller, Steam-Powered
• Owner: Captain Edward Dahlke, Cleveland, Ohio
• Service Area: Primarily operated out of Cleveland, Ohio

Operational History

The J. R. Worswick was a small wooden steam Tug built in 1878 by H.D. Root in Lorain, Ohio. As a harbor and towing Tug, her primary duties would have included:

• Assisting larger vessels in and out of Cleveland Harbor.
• Towing schooners, barges, and steamers on short-haul trips.
• Supporting harbor construction and maintenance projects.

Her compact 48-foot frame and wooden Hull made her ideal for navigating tight harbor spaces and river inlets, but she was not built for deep-water towing or long-distance voyages.

By 1894, after 16 years in service, the Tug was still operational under the ownership of Captain Edward Dahlke, working out of Cleveland Harbor on Lake Erie.

Final Voyage & Loss (November 1, 1894)

Weather Conditions:  The J. R. Worswick was not caught in a major storm when she Foundered, making the sinking unusual.  Lake Erie can be unpredictable, with quickly shifting waves and wind patterns that may have contributed to the incident.

Incident Details: The J. R. Worswick was operating just 3 miles east of Cleveland’s harbor piers when she unexpectedly Foundered. There was no immediate explanation for the sinking, as no major storm or external cause was reported. Her three crew members clung to the wreckage until they were rescued by the Tug Penola. The crew survived, but the vessel was declared a Total Loss.

Recovery & Aftermath: Despite being written off as a Total Loss, the Tug was in only 25 feet of water. The wreck was removed the following summer (1895), but there is no record of her being put back into service. It is unclear whether she was salvaged for parts or scrapped entirely.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: 3 miles east of the Cleveland Harbor piers, Lake Erie
• Depth: 25 feet (7.6 meters)
• Current Condition:
  • The wreck was removed in 1895, meaning no remains are expected to exist at the original site.
  •  However, if pieces of the Hull or machinery were Abandoned nearby, they may still be resting on the lakebed.
• Exploration & Archaeological Interest: Given the vessel’s small size and removal after sinking, it is unlikely that divers or sonar searches would find substantial remains.
• However, Cleveland’s harbour and surrounding waters contain many lost vessels, making the area a rich site for maritime archaeology.

Legacy and Significance

A Mysterious Foundering in Calm Conditions Unlike most shipwrecks, which are caused by storms, collisions, or structural failure, the J. R. Worswick sank under unknown circumstances. The lack of an immediate explanation suggests possible Hull damage, boiler failure, or an unseen leak.

A Rare Total Loss for a Tug Tugboats were built for durability, and many served for decades before being retired or repurposed. The J. R. Worswick had been in service for 16 years before her loss, which was relatively short for a harbor Tug.

A Successful Crew Rescue Despite the unexpected sinking, all three crew members survived by clinging to the wreck.The Tug Penola played a critical role in saving lives, demonstrating the importance of quick response in harbor operations.

The Uncertain Fate of the Vessel  The removal of the wreck in 1895 leaves questions about what happened to the Tug. If she was repaired, no further records exist of her return to service. More likely, she was scrapped or dismantled for parts, but her final fate remains unknown.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains records of Great Lakes tugboats and shipwrecks.
• Cleveland Underwater Explorers (CLUE) https://www.clueshipwrecks.org Conducts shipwreck surveys in the Cleveland area and may have insights into the fate of the J. R. Worswick.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research https://www.greatlakesshipwrecks.org Documents and preserves shipwreck history on the lakes.
• Cleveland Harbor History Archives May contain local newspaper reports or salvage records from 1895 related to the Tug’s removal.

Conclusion

The J. R. Worswick was a small but hardworking steam Tug operating out of Cleveland, Ohio, primarily assisting vessels in and around Lake Erie’s busy shipping lanes.

Her unexpected foundering on November 1, 1894, in calm conditions, just three miles from shore, remains a maritime mystery, as no definitive cause was recorded.

While all three crew members survived, the vessel was declared a Total Loss and removed the following summer (1895), leaving no known wreckage behind.

Despite being relatively obscure, the story of the J. R. Worswick serves as a reminder of the risks faced by even the smallest vessels on the Great Lakes, and the importance of quick rescue responses in maritime emergencies.