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Shipwreck Report: Propeller ANNA DOBBINS

Identification & Site Information

• Name: ANNA DOBBINS (commonly misreported as ANNA P. DOBBINS in later records)

• Type: Propeller Tug

• Construction: Wooden Hull

• Builder: Mills & Welch

• Year Built: Launched September 17, 1862

• Location of Build: Not specified; likely a Great Lakes shipyard

• Dimensions:

• Length: 110.5 feet (33.7 meters)

• Beam: 18 feet (5.5 meters)

• Depth: 10 feet (3.0 meters)

• Tonnage: 175 tons

• Engine: Single direct-acting engine, 24 x 26 inches, from Vulcan Works

• Propeller: Philadelphia pattern, Natie & Levy Works, Philadelphia

• Original Owner: Thomas D. Dole

• Named After: Anna Dobbins, daughter of Captain D.P. Dobbins

• Captain: John Rice (initial commander)

• Intended Use: Towing on the Great Lakes and rivers

Vessel Type Description

The ANNA DOBBINS was a small but powerful Tug designed for towing operations, capable of navigating the challenging waters of the Great Lakes and connecting rivers. It featured a single direct-acting engine and a propeller crafted using the advanced Philadelphia pattern, emphasizing reliability and efficiency.

History

The ANNA DOBBINS was launched in 1862 for Thomas D. Dole. Built with a focus on durability and towing capacity, the vessel quickly found a niche in the bustling maritime economy of the Great Lakes. Initially captained by John Rice, it operated successfully as a towing vessel, playing an integral role in moving barges and other vessels across the lakes.

By 1886, the Tug had been in service for 24 years, demonstrating remarkable longevity for its time. However, on September 27, 1886, the vessel met its demise while en route from Cleveland to Bay City. The Tug sank in 10 fathoms of water (60 feet, 18 meters) approximately 8 miles northeast of the Charities Shoal after a failure in its Stern pipe caused catastrophic flooding. Fortunately, the crew escaped unharmed.

Final Disposition

The ANNA DOBBINS was initially declared lost after sinking in 1886. However, it was later raised and repaired for continued service in Bay City. Confusion regarding its identity as ANNA P. DOBBINS appears in some records, though no distinct vessel with this name is known.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• The Charities Shoal region has been marked as a navigational hazard due to multiple wrecks in the area, though no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically concern the ANNA DOBBINS.

Located By & Date

The sinking was well-documented in maritime records of the time, but no precise location of the wreck was recorded after its recovery.

Current Condition & Accessibility

If any remnants exist, they would be located approximately 8 miles northeast of Charities Shoal in 10 fathoms (60 feet) of water. However, the vessel’s reported recovery and repair suggest that little, if any, of the original wreck remains at the site.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Ships Database

Keywords

ANNA DOBBINS, propeller Tug, Great Lakes shipwreck, 1886 sinking, Charities Shoal, 19th-century maritime history, wooden propeller vessels, towing operations, shipbuilding in the Great Lakes.