Identification & Site Information

• Name: W. C. Tillson
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 80599
• Type at Loss: Tug, wood, rafting
• Builder: Chas. Huntley, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Date Built: 1876
• Specifications: 54 x 16 x 7 feet (16.5 x 4.9 x 2.1 meters), 49 Gross Tonnage (49g), 25 Net Tonnage (25n)
• Date of Loss: October 30, 1889
• Place of Loss: Near the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
• Lake: Michigan
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Carrying: Towing a raft

Vessel Type & Description

The W. C. Tillson was a wooden Tugboat, specifically designed for rafting operations, which involved towing timber or logs floating in large rafts. Built in 1876 by Chas. Huntley in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, this Tug measured 54 feet (16.5 meters) in length, 16 feet (4.9 meters) in width, and 7 feet (2.1 meters) in depth, with a Gross Tonnage of 49 tons (49g) and Net Tonnage of 25 tons (25n).

Tugboats like the W. C. Tillson were essential to navigating narrow, shallow channels and assisting with the movement of large log rafts or other large tows on the Great Lakes, especially in regions like Green Bay and the surrounding waterways. With the primary task of towing timber, the vessel played a key role in the transport of goods like lumber, which was a major industry around Sturgeon Bay and northeastern Wisconsin during the 19th century.

Final Voyage & Loss

On the evening of October 30, 1889, the Tugboat W. C. Tillson was engaged in towing a raft across Green Bay, near the eastern shore close to the mouth of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. During the journey, a fire broke out aboard the vessel. Upon discovering the blaze, the crew acted quickly but had only just enough time to abandon the ship before it was engulfed by flames.

The W. C. Tillson was completely consumed by the fire, burning down to the water’s edge. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, and the crew was able to make it to safety without significant injury. The vessel was a Total Loss, and there are no records suggesting it was ever salvaged.

At the time of her loss, the W. C. Tillson was owned by Leathem & Smith, a notable shipbuilding and maritime business located in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Sturgeon Bay: Mariners should remain cautious near Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay for any underwater obstructions or wreckage related to past incidents like the loss of the W. C. Tillson.  Fire Hazards: Given the W. C. Tillson’s loss due to fire, it’s important for operators of vessels engaged in towing or working in high-risk areas like timber rafting to ensure fire suppression equipment is in place and regularly maintained.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The Tugboat W. C. Tillson, a wooden vessel built for rafting operations, was lost to a fire on October 30, 1889, while towing a raft across Green Bay near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The fire consumed the vessel quickly, leaving the crew with only enough time to escape before it sank. Thankfully, no one lost their life in this tragic accident. The loss of the W. C. Tillson serves as a reminder of the risks involved in the maritime industry during this era, particularly in the hazardous work of towing large timber rafts.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Tugboat fire, Sturgeon Bay shipwreck, Great Lakes tugboats, Green Bay maritime loss, 1889 fire shipwreck

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes tugboats, 19th-century maritime history, Tugboat accidents

Glossary Terms: Tugboat, Rafting operations, Fire hazard, Timber tow, Maritime loss