SWAN (1862)

Identification & Site Information

• Official Number: 22384
• Type at Loss: Propeller Steam Tug, Wood
• Build Info: 1862, Hingston Bros, Buffalo
• Specs: 11 Gross Tonnage (4.98m³), 8 Net Tonnage (3.62m³)
• Date of Loss: November 4, 1875
• Place of Loss: Saginaw River, at East Saginaw, Michigan
• Lake: Huron
• Type of Loss: Fire

Vessel Type

The SWAN was a wooden steam-powered Tug built in 1862 by Hingston Brothers in Buffalo, New York. As a propeller tug, the vessel was primarily used for towing and pushing ships on the Great Lakes. The Tug had a modest size, with 11 gross tons and 8 net tons, indicating its relatively small capacity compared to larger steam-powered tugs of the time. Tugs like the SWAN were vital for moving ships through harbors, river channels, and other tight navigational spaces.

Description & History

The SWAN was a steam Tug employed in the Saginaw River, Michigan, operating near East Saginaw. On the night of November 4, 1875, while moored at its dock, a boiler explosion ignited the vessel, setting it on fire. No one was aboard at the time, and the fire quickly consumed the Tug, leading to its Total Loss. The fire likely started from the Tug’s boiler, which was still under pressure, a common cause of fires in steam-powered vessels in the 19th century.

Owned by A. Brewer, the SWAN was one of many smaller tugs that played a crucial role in the bustling shipping industry along the Saginaw River, known for its connection to lumber mills and manufacturing in the mid-1800s.

Final Dispositions

After the fire, the SWAN was completely destroyed and sank or was Abandoned at the site. Since no one was aboard when the fire broke out, there were no casualties. The vessel was a Total Loss, and its burnt remains were likely left to deteriorate. Given the widespread nature of such accidents at the time, no major efforts to recover the wreck were recorded.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records of the SWAN being salvaged or located after the fire. Its wreck may have been removed from the river, or it may have been left to disintegrate over time, especially given its small size and limited economic value after the fire.

Notices & Advisories

Wreck Location: Saginaw River near East Saginaw, Michigan (specific coordinates not provided)

Hazard: Fire hazard and wreckage could have posed a risk to navigation if not cleared after the incident.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships Database
• Michigan Maritime Museum: Michigan Maritime Museum

Conclusion

The SWAN (1862), a wooden steam Tug, met its unfortunate end on November 4, 1875, when a fire broke out due to a boiler malfunction while the vessel was docked at East Saginaw, Michigan. The Tug was destroyed by the fire, but fortunately, there were no casualties as no one was aboard at the time. This incident highlights the inherent dangers associated with steam-powered vessels during the 19th century, particularly with the volatile nature of boiler technology. Despite the loss, there were no significant attempts to salvage the wreck, and the SWAN remains a part of the Saginaw River’s maritime history.