TACOMA (Steam Tug, 1894)

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: Tacoma
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 145673
• Type at Loss: Propeller Steam Tug, wood
• Year Built: 1894
• Builder: E.W. Heath, Benton Harbor, Michigan
• Specifications:  Length: 73 ft (22.25 m)  Beam: 18 ft (5.49 m)  Depth: 9 ft (2.74 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 76 tons
• Net Tonnage: 39 tons
• Date of Loss: November 4, 1929
• Place of Loss: Chicago Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Specific Location: Straight out from 68th Street, near Clark Shoal
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm (structural failure)
• Loss of Life: None (all six crew members survived)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None

Vessel Type:

The Tacoma was a wooden-hulled propeller steam Tug, designed for towing operations in harbors, rivers, and nearshore environments. Tugboats like the Tacoma played crucial roles in assisting larger vessels with docking, maneuvering through tight channels, and supporting dredging operations.

Description:

Constructed in 1894 by E.W. Heath in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the Tacoma was built during a period when wooden steam tugs were still common but gradually giving way to steel-hulled designs. Measuring 73 feet (22.2 m) in lengthwith a beam of 18 feet (5.5 m), she was a relatively small but powerful vessel, ideally suited for harbor work along the busy industrial shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Powered by a steam engine driving a single screw propeller, the Tacoma was known for her reliability in towing barges, supporting dredging projects, and assisting other vessels in and around the Chicago harbor area. She was operated by the Fitz Simmons and Connell Dock & Dredge Company of Chicago, a firm heavily involved in construction and maritime operations throughout the Great Lakes region.

History:

Throughout her service life, the Tacoma worked primarily in and around Chicago Harbor, contributing to the growing industrial demands of the early 20th century. She assisted with towing barges, positioning dredging equipment, and performing general harbor support duties. Despite her modest size, she was an essential part of the busy maritime infrastructure supporting Chicago’s bustling shipping lanes.

Like many working vessels of her type, the Tacoma endured frequent exposure to harsh conditions, including severe storms common on Lake Michigan, especially during the fall and winter months. While robustly built, wooden-hulled steam tugs were vulnerable to structural issues as they aged, particularly related to the seams between planks opening under stress.

Final Disposition:

On November 4, 1929, the Tacoma met her fate during a severe storm while operating in Chicago Harbor, near Clark Shoal, straight out from 68th Street. Battling rough seas, the aging Tug’s wooden seams opened under the strain, allowing water to flood into the Hull rapidly.

Despite the crew’s efforts to control the flooding, the situation worsened quickly. The Tug ultimately sank in 30 feet (9.1 m) of water, but all six crew members managed to escape safely, likely rescued by nearby vessels or reaching safety due to the relative proximity to shore.

The wreck of the Tacoma settled approximately:  2.66 miles (4.28 km) from Calumet Harbor Light,  Bearing 343 degrees,  In 30 feet (9.1 m) of water. Her location became known to local mariners, and she was considered a navigational concern, though her depth likely posed minimal risk to most vessels.  Exact coordinates are not specified, but her resting place is well-documented relative to nearby navigational markers.  Lies 2.66 miles at 343° from Calumet Harbor Light, in 30 feet of water.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

• Nil (no current official navigational advisories related to the wreck, though local charts may mark her remains depending on their condition and prominence)

Resources & Links:

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

Additional Notes:

The wreck site may still exist and could be of interest to divers familiar with Lake Michigan’s numerous shallow wrecks, particularly given its proximity to Chicago.  Given the depth (30 feet/9.1 m), it is accessible for recreational divers, though Visibility in Chicago harbor waters can vary significantly.

Conclusion. The loss of the Tacoma in 1929 highlights the enduring risks faced by even nearshore vessels on the Great Lakes. Despite her small size and routine operations, she was no match for the relentless power of a Lake Michigan storm. Fortunately, no lives were lost, a testament to the skill and quick thinking of her crew. Today, her story adds to the rich maritime history of Chicago Harbor and the broader Great Lakes region.