Identification & Site Information

• Name: Union
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 25083
• Date Built & Launched: 1863
• Builder: Lockport, New York
• Specifications: 75 ft x 16 ft x 6 ft (22.9 m x 4.9 m x 1.8 m), 36 gross tons
• Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steam Tug
• Date Lost: November 14, 1870
• Place of Loss: Saginaw Bay, off Pointe Aux Gres, Lake Huron
• Cause of Loss: Fire
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: None
• Owner: B. Boutelle & Co., Saginaw, Michigan

Vessel Type

The Union was a wooden steam-powered Tug, designed for towing lumber-laden schooners and barges through the busy shipping routes of Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay, and Muskegon. Steam tugs were essential for guiding larger vessels into ports and helping with navigation in tight or shallow waters.

Description & History

Built in 1863 in Lockport, New York, the Union was primarily used as a Towboat, assisting ships in and around Saginaw Bay and other Great Lakes ports. Given its small size and 36-gross-ton capacity, it was likely involved in lumber towing, a major industry in Michigan at the time.

The vessel was Rebuilt in the winter of 1865-1866, likely after sustaining damage or requiring upgrades to remain competitive in the growing Tugboat industry. However, it soon developed a history of mechanical failures:

•  Early 1866 – Severely damaged by a boiler explosion at Muskegon.
•  September 1866 – Another boiler explosion occurred on Lake Huron, further weakening the vessel.

Despite these significant mechanical issues, the Union remained in service until November 14, 1870. While waiting for a tow assignment in Saginaw Bay, the vessel caught fire. The crew was having dinner when the fire broke out, but they managed to launch a lifeboat and escape before the ship was completely consumed. The burning Tug sank to a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The Union burned completely and sank in Saginaw Bay, leaving no chance for salvage.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Saginaw Bay contains many shipwreck sites, with shifting sands that may have buried the remains of the Union.  The area was heavily dredged and modified for commercial shipping in later years.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The Union was a hardworking but troubled steam Tug, suffering multiple boiler explosions before ultimately burning and sinking in Saginaw Bay in 1870. Its loss highlights the dangers of early steam technology, particularly on smaller wooden vessels. Despite its short and accident-filled career, it was an important part of Michigan’s booming lumber trade, reflecting the challenges and risks of Great Lakes maritime work in the 19th century.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes tugboats, steam tugs, Saginaw Bay shipwrecks, Lake Huron maritime history, boiler explosions

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden steam tugs, fire-related losses

Glossary Terms: Steam Tug, Boiler Explosion, Towboat, Saginaw Bay Navigation