John Torrent – Identification & Site Information

• Other Names: None
• Official No.: C122440
• Type at Loss: Propeller Steam Tug, Wood
• Build Info: 1875, Arnold, Muskegon (US#75751)
• Specs: Length: 50 feet (15.2 meters) Beam: 12 feet (3.7 meters) Depth: 6 feet (1.8 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 18 tons (16.3 metric tonnes)
• Net Tonnage: 9 tons (8.2 metric tonnes)
• Date of Loss: May 2, 1913
• Place of Loss: St. Joseph Island, north end of Lake Huron

History and Description

The JOHN TORRENT was a wooden propeller steam Tug built in 1875 at Muskegon, Michigan, by Arnold. The Tug was used primarily for towing vessels and had a relatively small size, with a length of 50 feet and a Gross Tonnage of 18 tons. It was equipped with steam-powered propulsion, which was a common feature for tugboats of that era, designed to assist larger ships in navigating tight harbors or during tow operations.

Owned by S. Shipman at the time of her loss, the JOHN TORRENT was involved in typical Tug operations on the Great Lakes, assisting with the movement of cargo and larger vessels. The vessel was originally U.S.-registered but was sold to Canadian ownership in 1910, just a few years before her loss.

Final Disposition

The JOHN TORRENT caught fire on May 2, 1913, while docked at Richard’s Landing on St. Joseph Island. The fire spread rapidly, and the Tug burned to the waterline, ultimately destroying the vessel. The details of the fire and its causes are not entirely clear, but it was a Total Loss. The loss of life was not specifically recorded, but no fatalities are reported.

The JOHN TORRENT’s loss came after a previous tragedy in 1895, when three of her crew members were killed. This occurred when the Tug was raked by the Towline of the large Schooner YUKON, which was being towed by the Steamer SITKA. This incident likely contributed to the vessel’s reputation as a vessel that had suffered previous misfortune before her final destruction.

Sources & References

• Polk Shipping Records
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (MV)
• Historical Great Lakes (HGL)
• • Shipwreck Data (MMGL, SLH, H)

Conclusion

The JOHN TORRENT‘s final fate underscores the vulnerability of older wooden vessels, especially in the hazardous environment of the Great Lakes. Though the Tug had a significant history of service, including involvement in a tragic incident in 1895, its eventual destruction by fire marked the end of its operational life. The exact cause of the fire remains unclear, but the vessel’s loss represents another example of how quickly a ship could succumb to disaster in the busy waters of Lake Huron.