Identification & Site Information

• Name: TAWAS
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 24505
• Type at Loss: Propeller Steam Tug, Wood
• Year Built: 1864
• Builder: M. Williams, Marysville (formerly Vicksburg), Michigan
• Specifications:  Length: 98 ft (29.87 m)  Beam: 18 ft (5.49 m)  Depth: 9 ft (2.74 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 88 tons
• Date of Loss: May 14, 1874
• Place of Loss: Off Rock Falls, near Sand Beach, Michigan
• Lake: Huron
• Type of Loss: Boiler Explosion
• Loss of Life: 6 Fatalities (5 from the TAWAS crew, 1 from the Schooner ZACH CHANDLER)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None

Vessel Type

The TAWAS was a wooden-hulled steam-powered propeller Tug designed primarily for towing schooners and other vessels on the Great Lakes. Steam tugs like the TAWAS played a crucial role in the maritime industry during the mid-19th century, assisting larger ships in navigating harbours, rivers, and during adverse weather conditions.

Constructed in 1864 by M. Williams in Marysville, Michigan, the TAWAS served as a versatile steam Tug operating along Lake Huron’s bustling maritime routes. She was involved in towing schooners, barges, and other vessels, aiding in both commercial freight movement and maritime salvage when required. Steam tugs were vital during this era due to the increasing size of schooners and the demand for reliable harbour manoeuvrability and open-lake towing.

Final Disposition

On May 14, 1874, while lying alongside or towing the Schooner ZACH CHANDLER, the TAWAS suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion off Rock Falls, near Sand Beach, Michigan. The force of the explosion was devastating:  Five crew members aboard the TAWAS were killed instantly.  A sixth casualty, the second mate of the ZACH CHANDLER, was killed by debris—struck by a flying timber while standing over 300 feet (91 m) from the blast site. The ZACH CHANDLER was also severely damaged by the explosion, but managed to survive. The TAWAS sank rapidly following the incident. The vessel’s master, Captain J.C. Robinson, was among those who perished.

Resources & Links

• Pioneer History Records (PHR)
• Marine Review (MV)
• Newspaper Archives (NSP)
• Lighthouse History Logs (LHL)
• Shipwrecks of Lake Huron (SLH)
• Historical Great Lakes Maritime Database (HGL)
• Maritime Preservation Library (MPL)
• East Atlantic Shipping Records (EAS) 
• Related Vessel: ZACH CHANDLER (also damaged in the explosion)

Conclusion

The tragic loss of the TAWAS highlights the inherent dangers faced by steam-powered vessels during the 19th century. Boiler explosions were a common hazard due to high operating pressures, inconsistent maintenance standards, and early engineering challenges. This incident also underscores the interconnected risks faced by vessels operating in close proximity, as seen with the fatality aboard the nearby ZACH CHANDLER. The TAWAS remains an example of the perilous nature of early steam navigation on the Great Lakes.