Shipwreck Report: Witch of the West (1856–1904)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Witch of the West
• Official Number: 26345
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller Steam Tug
• Built: 1856, at Petty’s Island, NJ, or by Cramp Shipyard, Philadelphia
• Final Location: Bay City, Michigan, Saginaw River
• Date Lost: 1904
• Cause: Fire
• Final Cargo: None (out of service at the time of loss)
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  •  Length: 59 feet (18 meters)
  • Beam: 13 feet (4 meters)
  • Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
• •Gross Tonnage: 23 gross
• Net Tonnage – 12 net tons

Operational History

The Witch of the West was built in 1856 on the East Coast, either at Petty’s Island, New Jersey, or at the famous Cramp Shipyard in Philadelphia. She was originally intended for river and bay towing on the Maumee River (Toledo, Ohio).  The vessel was notable for her design, with sleek, much-copied lines that influenced later Tugboat construction.  She was retired from active service in 1903, after nearly five decades of operation.

Final Loss (1904)

 The Witch of the West burned to a Total Loss while docked at Bay City, Michigan, in the Saginaw River.  The vessel was not in service at the time of the fire, having been retired the previous year.  The cause of the fire is unknown, but it completely destroyed the Tug.  No lives were lost in the incident.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Original Wreck Location: Saginaw River, Bay City, Michigan
• Current Status: Unknown (likely dismantled or removed following the fire)
• Potential for Discovery: Since she burned at a dock, it is unlikely that much wreckage remains.
• Some remnants, such as her boiler or metal fittings, may still exist in the riverbed.

Legacy and Influence

A Design That Inspired Future Tugs  The Witch of the West was one of the most influential early Tugboat designs, setting the standard for many vessels built afterward.  The Bay City-built Tug Witch was a direct copy of her and even used her recovered engine.

A Remarkable Service Life The vessel operated for nearly 50 years, surviving multiple eras of Tugboat design and technological advancements.

Lost at the End of Her Service The Witch of the West did not sink due to a storm or accident, but rather burned after being retired, a fate not uncommon for old wooden vessels.

Further Research and Resources

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Database – Information on Witch of the West and other Great Lakes tugboats.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Saginaw River Marine Historical Society – Possible records on vessel remains in Bay City.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wikipedia – Petty Island William Cramp and Sons

Conclusion

The Witch of the West was a pioneering Tugboat design, influencing future vessels with her sleek lines and long service history. Her destruction by fire in 1904, after being retired in 1903, marked the end of an era for one of the Great Lakes’ longest-serving steam tugs.

While her physical remains may no longer exist, her legacy lives on in the design of later Great Lakes tugboats. 🚢🔥