TACOMA

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Tacoma
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 145268
• Type at Loss: Propeller, wood, bulk freight
• Build Information: Year Built: 1881 Builder: Quayle, Cleveland, Ohio
• • Specifications:
• • Length: 261 ft (79.55 m)
• • Beam: 39 ft (11.89 m)
• • Depth: 22 ft (6.71 m)
• • Gross Tonnage: 1,879 tons
• • Net Tonnage: 1,609 tons
• • Date of Loss: August 23, 1914
• • Place of Loss: South Mill Dock, Ludington, Michigan
• • Lake: Lake Michigan
• • Type of Loss: Fire
• • Loss of Life: None (no one was aboard at the time of the fire)
• • Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Type:

The Tacoma was a wooden-hulled propeller bulk freighter, designed primarily for transporting large quantities of bulk cargo such as grain, coal, iron ore, and lumber—typical commodities in the booming Great Lakes shipping industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built in 1881 by Quayle of Cleveland, Ohio, the Tacoma was part of a generation of large wooden bulk freighters that dominated Great Lakes commerce before steel hulls became the industry standard. The vessel featured a robust wooden Hull, reinforced to handle the demanding conditions of the upper Great Lakes and the heavy cargoes associated with bulk freight operations. With her impressive dimensions—over 260 feet (79.5 m) long and nearly 40 feet (12 m) wide—she was among the larger wooden freighters of her time, capable of carrying thousands of tons of material across the lakes. Her propulsion was provided by a single screw propeller, powered by a steam engine typical of the era.

History:

Tacoma served for over three decades on the Great Lakes, playing a significant role in transporting goods between industrial hubs such as Cleveland, Chicago, Duluth, and Milwaukee. Owned and operated by various shipping companies over her lifespan, she contributed to the bustling maritime trade that fueled the economic growth of the region.

Her career reflected the typical life of a bulk freighter during this period—hauling heavy loads, enduring harsh weather conditions, and requiring frequent repairs to maintain seaworthiness. By the early 1910s, advances in steel ship construction and larger, more efficient vessels rendered many older wooden freighters like Tacoma obsolete.

Final Disposition:

On August 23, 1914, while lying idle at the South Mill Dock in Ludington, Michigan, Tacoma caught fire under mysterious circumstances. There were no crew members aboard at the time, and the vessel was reportedly out of service, awaiting either repair or reassignment. The fire quickly consumed her wooden structure, fueled by any remaining residues of cargo and operational materials onboard.

Despite firefighting efforts from local crews, the blaze proved uncontrollable, and the Tacoma was completely destroyed, burning down to the waterline. The cause of the fire was never definitively determined, though it was speculated that it may have started due to either spontaneous combustion of residual materials or an accidental spark from nearby dock operations.

After the fire, the remains of the Tacoma were deemed a Total Loss. Any salvageable materials were likely recovered, but the Hull was left to deteriorate or removed as necessary to clear the dock area.

Resources & Links:

• Great Lakes Maritime Database (HCGL)
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Vessels Archive (GLMD)

Additional Notes:

The Tacoma’s loss marked the end of an era for large wooden freighters on the Great Lakes, as the shift toward steel-hulled vessels rendered many of these older ships obsolete.

Conclusion:

The tragic loss of the Tacoma in 1914 serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden-hulled freighters, especially those left idle without active crews. Her destruction by fire reflects not only the perils of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes but also the transition from the age of wood and steam to the modern era of steel ships and diesel engines. While her physical remains may no longer exist, the Tacoma remains part of the storied history of Great Lakes shipping.