NORTH CAROLINA (1908, Diesel Tug)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: North Carolina

• Former Name: L.C. Sabin (renamed in 1941).

• Year Built: 1908

• Type of Ship: Propeller-driven Diesel Tug (Harbor Tug).

• Gross Tonnage: 98 tons

• Net Tonnage: 66 tons

• Dimensions:

• Length: 24.69 metres (81 feet)

• Beam: 6.1 metres (20 feet)

• Depth: 3.66 metres (12 feet)

• Typical Cargo: None; used primarily for towing.

Construction and Ownership

• Builder Name: J.S. Dunham, Chicago, Illinois

• Original Owner: Unknown (operated under its original name L.C. Sabin).

• Owner at Renaming (1941): Great Lakes Towing Company, Cleveland, Ohio.

The Great Lakes Towing Company was a major operator of tugboats and salvage vessels throughout the Great Lakes. The North Carolina was part of their extensive fleet, providing harbor assistance, towing barges, and occasionally assisting with wreck recoveries.

Service History

The North Carolina was initially built as the L.C. Sabin in 1908. It served as a harbor Tug, a crucial part of Great Lakes commerce, aiding in the docking and undocking of ships, moving barges, and assisting larger vessels in busy or constrained waterways.

• 1941: Renamed North Carolina by the Great Lakes Towing Company when incorporated into their fleet.

• The vessel was diesel-powered, offering efficient and reliable service compared to earlier steam-powered tugs.

• Throughout its career, the Tug played a key role in facilitating cargo movements and port operations, particularly in Cleveland, Ohio, and other Great Lakes harbors.

Final Disposition

The fate of the North Carolina remains undocumented in this record. Many tugs of this era were eventually retired, scrapped, or Abandoned as technology advanced and steel-hulled diesel tugs replaced older wooden or hybrid vessels. Further archival searches could uncover the specific details of its final years.

Significance

The North Carolina is representative of the workhorse tugs that formed the backbone of Great Lakes harbor operations during the 20th century. Its renaming in 1941 reflects the Great Lakes Towing Company’s practice of naming its tugs after U.S. states, a tradition that highlighted the national importance of its operations.

The Tug’s size and tonnage made it versatile for both harbor and light towing duties, ensuring its utility in a variety of port environments.

Historical Context

Harbor tugs like the North Carolina played an indispensable role in Great Lakes shipping, which was characterized by increasingly large freighters and crowded ports. Tugs were responsible for ensuring safe navigation in confined harbors, often operating in challenging conditions such as ice-filled waters or during storms.

Resources & Links

For further research into the North Carolina or similar vessels, consider the following resources:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• Great Lakes Towing Company History

• Great Lakes Vessels Online Index

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The North Carolina exemplifies the essential role of harbor tugs in the Great Lakes maritime economy. Its long service life with the Great Lakes Towing Company reflects the resilience and adaptability of these vessels. While its final disposition remains uncertain, its legacy as a vital piece of Great Lakes shipping history is clear.