Identification & Site Information

• Name: STRANGER
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 22403
• Date Built & Launched: 1863
• Builder: Campbell and Owen, Detroit, Michigan
• Original Owner: H.N. Strong, Detroit, Michigan
• Registration Number(s): 22403
• Measurements: Length: 75 ft 5 in (22.99 m)mBeam: 16 ft 2 in (4.93 m). Depth: 8 ft (2.44 m)
• Tonnage: 89 36/95 tonnage (Old Style)
  • Re-measured (1865): 74.5 x 16.4 x 8 ft, 57.33 Gross Tonnage
  • Re-measured (1872): 75.93 gross / 53.97 Net Tonnage

Vessel Type

The STRANGER was a wooden-hulled tug (towboat), featuring a fantail Stern, a design that improved water displacement and maneuverability. Primarily used for towing, salvage, and lighthouse construction support, the STRANGER was a versatile vessel, typical of workboats on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.

Description

Built in 1863 in Detroit, Michigan, by Campbell and Owen, the STRANGER was a medium-sized Tug designed for a range of maritime support duties. She was screw-propelled, powered by a steam engine, making her well-suited for towing schooner-barges, assisting in port operations, and participating in salvage work.

Her wooden Hull and compact design made her ideal for maneuvering in confined waters such as the Detroit River, harbours, and shallow coastal areas. The vessel underwent several modifications, including a wrecking equipment retrofit in 1872, increasing her role in salvage and marine recovery.

History

The STRANGER had a diverse and active career, supporting commercial shipping, construction projects, and salvage operations:

• 1863: August 11 – Enrolled in Detroit, Michigan, for service under original owner H.N. Strong.
• 1865: Re-measured at 57.33 gross tons, slightly smaller than her initial listed tonnage.
• 1867: Ownership transferred to Thomas Murphy, John R. Gillet, and C.P. Taylor, maintaining her home port in Detroit.
• 1869: Ownership adjusted, with Taylor and Gillet continuing operations.
• 1871: Chartered by the U.S. Government to assist in the construction of the Spectacle Reef Lighthouse, a major navigation aid in Lake Huron. This work involved transporting materials, workers, and supplies to the offshore reef.
• 1872: Officially fitted out as a wrecker, expanding her role in maritime salvage and recovery efforts.
• 1883: Following the death of H.N. Strong, ownership transferred to his estate.
• 1884: July 22 – Purchased by Angeline Besumey of Ecorse, Michigan, marking one of her last ownership changes.

Role in the Rescue of SAGINAW (1880)

One of the STRANGER’s most notable contributions was her involvement in the rescue of the crew of the Schooner-Barge SAGINAW on August 27, 1880. During a severe gale on Lake Erie, the SAGINAW, which was the last in a tow of four barges, broke away from the Tug ALANSON SUMNER and became waterlogged off Port Stanley, Ontario.

The STRANGER, towing the Schooner H.M. SCOVE, arrived on the scene and assisted in the rescue of the stranded sailors and a ship’s dog, who had clung to the wreck for over 20 hours. This act of maritime heroism underscores the crucial role tugboats like STRANGER played in life-saving operations during the Great Lakes’ unpredictable weather conditions.

Final Disposition

On October 27, 1885, the STRANGER caught fire at Craig’s Shipyard in Trenton, Michigan, on the Detroit River. The fire was extensive, consuming the vessel down to the waterline, rendering her a Total Loss. Her official registration was surrendered on October 28, 1885.

The exact cause of the fire is unknown, but shipyard fires were common in the 19th century due to wooden hulls, coal-fired boilers, and limited fire suppression methods.

Located By & Date Found

There is no modern record of the wreck of the STRANGER, suggesting her remains were either salvaged or deteriorated completely in the shallow waters of the Detroit River.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically reference the STRANGER’s wreck site in the Detroit River. However, the area around Trenton, MI, has been extensively dredged and developed over time, likely impacting any remaining wreckage.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Detroit Historical Society & Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Conclusion

The STRANGER’s legacy is one of hard work and heroism. From assisting in the construction of the Spectacle Reef Lighthouse to her wrecking and salvage operations, and most notably, her role in the 1880 rescue of the SAGINAW’s crew, she was a vital asset to the maritime industry of the Great Lakes. Her destruction by fire in 1885 marked the end of a remarkable chapter in Detroit’s shipbuilding and towing history, but her contributions to Great Lakes navigation and safety endure through historical records.