TOLEDO – Shipwreck Information

• Official No.: Unknown
• Other Names: Unknown
• Type at Loss: Wooden propeller steam Tug
• Built: 1869, by Ricketts, Toledo, Ohio
• Specifications: Tonnage: 5 tons (5 t.)
• Date of Loss: 1880
• Place of Loss: Bay City, Michigan
• Lake: Huron
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steam Tug

Description

The Toledo was a small wooden propeller steam Tug, built in 1869 by the Ricketts Shipyard in Toledo, Ohio. While specific details about the Tug’s size and design are sparse, its tonnage of only 5 tons suggests that it was a smaller vessel, likely used for towing operations on the Great Lakes, specifically on Lake Huron, where it met its end.

In 1880, the Toledo suffered a disastrous fire while operating near Bay City, Michigan. The fire caused the vessel to be completely destroyed, leaving it a Total Loss. There are no detailed records about the extent of the fire or whether the Tug’s crew survived, though it is known that the vessel was burned beyond recovery. It is unclear whether the wreckage of the Toledo was salvaged or if the vessel was fully lost to the fire.

Final Dispositions

The Toledo was completely destroyed by fire in 1880 while operating near Bay City, Michigan. The exact cause of the fire is not mentioned in available records, and no further information about the recovery or salvage of the vessel has been documented. The Toledo may have been partially recovered after the fire, but there are no concrete details to confirm this.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the Toledo was located or recovered after the fire. Given the nature of the disaster, it is likely that the vessel was not salvaged, or if it was, no significant remains were preserved.

Notable Marks & Advisories

No specific navigational marks, advisories, or warnings are associated with the Toledo‘s wreck site. The vessel’s destruction was a result of fire, and there is no mention of any long-term hazards left by the wreck.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The Toledo was a small wooden propeller steam Tug built in 1869 in Toledo, Ohio. Its end came in 1880 when it was destroyed by a fire while operating near Bay City, Michigan, on Lake Huron. The fire resulted in a Total Loss of the vessel, though there is some uncertainty as to whether the wreckage was recovered. This disaster highlights the inherent risks faced by steam-powered vessels during the 19th century, particularly when fire was a frequent cause of maritime casualties. Unfortunately, the lack of detailed records means much of the story of this vessel remains unclear.