Identification & Site Information

• Name: Tiger
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 24104
• Type at Loss: Propeller steam Tug, wooden
• Builder: G.H. Notter, Buffalo, New York
• Date Built: 1860
• Specifications: 41 x 11 x 5 feet (12.5 x 3.35 x 1.52 meters), 26 gross tons (12 net tons)
• Date of Loss: November 20, 1869
• Place of Loss: Off Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Lake: Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Carrying: None

Vessel Type & Description

The Tiger was a steam Tug, built in 1860 by G.H. Notter in Buffalo, New York. A typical Tug of the period, she was a wooden vessel used for pushing or towing other ships and barges through the waters of the Great Lakes. With a relatively small size, measuring 41 feet (12.5 meters) in length, 11 feet (3.35 meters) in breadth, and a depth of only 5 feet (1.52 meters), she was well-suited for maneuvering in shallower waters, particularly around docks and piers. The Tiger had a steam engine that powered a propeller for propulsion, which was typical of steam-powered tugs during the 19th century. This made her a crucial vessel for assisting larger ships in navigating harbors and through difficult or congested waters.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 20, 1869, while operating on Lake Michigan off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the Tiger was caught in a storm. The Tug struck a pier and began to founder. The conditions were likely challenging due to the storm, which may have caused the vessel to lose its bearings or control, resulting in the collision with the pier.

Despite the severe nature of the incident, no lives were lost. However, the Tiger was likely recovered, as historical records suggest that the Tug was probably salvaged after the event.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Sheboygan Pier: The area around Sheboygan has historically been a site of potential hazards for vessels, particularly when weather conditions worsened. Mariners should be cautious when navigating in the area, especially during storms, and pay close attention to navigation markers near the piers and harbors.  Storm Hazards: The incident involving the Tiger underscores the importance of understanding and preparing for storm conditions on the Great Lakes, which can create unpredictable hazards even for smaller, more maneuverable vessels like steam tugs.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The loss of the steam Tug Tiger on November 20, 1869, off Sheboygan in Lake Michigan highlights the vulnerability of even the most capable tugs during stormy conditions on the Great Lakes. The vessel struck a pier during the storm and began to founder but fortunately, no lives were lost. While the Tiger was probably recovered, the event serves as a reminder of the dangers vessels faced during the 19th century on the Great Lakes, particularly with unpredictable weather patterns. The storm that led to the foundering of the Tiger is not uncommon on these waters, where rapid changes in weather can quickly turn calm seas into hazardous conditions.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Steam tug, storm shipwreck, Great Lakes tugs, 19th-century steam vessels, Sheboygan shipwreck

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th-century steam tugs, Great Lakes maritime history

Glossary Terms: Steam Tug, Foundered, Pier, Storm