Identification & Site Information

• Name: MAUDE
• Former Names: Built on the bottom of GRACE DARLING (1884)
• Official Number: 116481
• Date Built & Launched: 1902
• Builder: William J. McDonald, Wallaceburg, Ontario
• Original Owner: John Cooper, Chatham, Ontario
• Registration Number(s): 116481
• Measurements: Length: 60.2 ft (18.34 m) Beam: 13.5 ft (4.11 m) Depth: 5 ft (1.52 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 19 tons
• Net Tonnage: 13 tons

Vessel Type

The MAUDE was a small wooden-hulled tug (towboat), designed for towing barges, assisting in harbour operations, and general workboat duties in the Great Lakes region.

Constructed in 1902 in Wallaceburg, Ontario, the MAUDE was uniquely built on the Hull of the earlier Tug GRACE DARLING (1884), a practice not uncommon in the early 20th century when older vessels were dismantled and their serviceable hulls repurposed. This method was cost-effective, allowing shipbuilders to extend the life of valuable timber hulls while updating the vessel’s superstructure and mechanical components.

The MAUDE measured just over 60 feet in length with a 13.5-foot beam and a Draft of 5 feet, making her suitable for operations in shallow waters like Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River. Powered by a Screw Propulsion system, she would have been driven by a steam or early Diesel engine typical of Great Lakes tugs during that era.

History

The MAUDE had a working career typical of small tugs operating in the Great Lakes region, engaged in towing, harbor support, and possibly clandestine activities during the Prohibition era, suggested by the nature of her final cargo.

1902: Built for John Cooper of Chatham, Ontario, the MAUDE entered service as a general-purpose Tug.

Operational Role: Likely used for towing small barges, assisting larger vessels in tight harbor areas, and transporting cargo between ports along the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair.

Connection to GRACE DARLING: The MAUDE’s construction on the bottom of the GRACE DARLING linked her to an earlier generation of Great Lakes tugs. The GRACE DARLING, built in 1884 by Wm. Taylor of Wallaceburg, Ontario, was dismantled in 1902, with her registration closed and her Hull repurposed for the MAUDE.

Final Disposition

On October 24, 1922, the MAUDE Foundered in Lake St. Clair. While specific details surrounding the sinking are limited, the vessel’s final cargo of whiskey strongly suggests involvement in Prohibition-era smuggling activities. This was a common practice on the Great Lakes during the 1920s when tugs, small freighters, and fishing boats were frequently used to transport illegal liquor from Canada to the United States, exploiting the vast and complex waterways to evade law enforcement.

Interestingly, in October 1928, the wreck was reportedly removed to 24th Street in Detroit, Michigan, suggesting that salvage efforts were undertaken, possibly due to the continued value of the Hull, machinery, or even to recover illicit cargo.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum – William MacDonald Collection
• Canadian Vessel Registers

Conclusion

The MAUDE’s history reflects the evolving maritime practices of the early 20th century, from her construction on the Hull of the GRACE DARLING to her possible involvement in Prohibition-era smuggling. Her story provides a glimpse into both the industrial and illicit maritime activities that shaped the Great Lakes during this period. While the vessel itself no longer rests at the site of her sinking, her legacy endures through historical records and her connection to the vibrant, often shadowy, history of Great Lakes shipping.