Identification & Site Information

• Name: C. W. Wells
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: 126244
• Date Built and Launched: 1883
• Builder: Lester, Marine City, Michigan
• Specifications: Length: 66 ft (20.12 m) Beam (Width): 14 ft (4.27 m) Depth of Hold: 7 ft (2.13 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 38 tons
• Net Tonnage: 19 tons
• Date Lost: October 16, 1897
• Place of Loss: Near Bar Point, Lake Erie (close to Amherstburg, Ontario)
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: None (operating as a Tug at the time)
• Ownership at Time of Loss: Capt. Horne (Horne Bros.), Detroit, Michigan

Vessel Type

The C. W. Wells was a wooden propeller Tug, a small but powerful vessel designed primarily for towing barges, ships, and other vessels in harbours, rivers, and nearshore waters. Tugboats like the C. W. Wells were critical to maritime operations on the Great Lakes, assisting with docking maneuvers, salvaging vessels in distress, and towing bulk carriers through congested or difficult waters.

Description

Built in 1883 by a shipbuilder named Lester in Marine City, Michigan, the C. W. Wells was a 66-foot-long wooden tug with a narrow 14-foot beam and a 7-foot Draft, making her well-suited for both harbor work and operations in shallow coastal waters like those near Bar Point in Lake Erie. Her wooden Hull, common for tugboats of the era, housed a steam-powered propeller engine that provided the force needed to tow much larger vessels. Despite her relatively small size, she played an important role in regional maritime commerce, particularly around Detroit, where the busy waterways of the Detroit River and Lake Erie required constant Tugboat support.

The Tug had been Rebuilt during the winter of 1896–97, suggesting that she had undergone significant repairs or modifications just before her final season of service.

Operational History

Owned by Capt. Horne of the Horne Brothers (Detroit-based operators), the C. W. Wells was part of a fleet of working vessels that provided vital services along the Detroit River, Lake Erie, and surrounding waterways. Tugs like the C. W. Wells were essential for:

• Towing large vessels through narrow or congested areas
• Assisting with docking and undocking operations
• Responding to maritime emergencies, such as shipwrecks, fires, or groundings

In addition to her towing duties, the C. W. Wells had experienced prior incidents in the 1897 season, including:  A small fire earlier in the year A collision with another vessel, though details of this incident are limited

These events may have weakened the vessel structurally or mechanically, potentially contributing to the catastrophic fire that ended her service.

Final Voyage and Loss

On October 16, 1897, while operating near the Bar Point Lightship on Lake Erie, the crew of the C. W. Wells discovered that the vessel had caught fire. Despite immediate efforts to extinguish the blaze, the fire quickly grew out of control, likely fueled by the wooden construction, flammable materials on board, and the Tug’s steam machinery.

Recognizing that the fire could not be contained, the crew Abandoned the Tug using their onboard raft. Although other vessels were in the area, no assistance was provided—a fact that drew criticism in contemporary reports. The crew was forced to paddle to shore on their own, eventually reaching safety without any loss of life.

After the crew’s escape, the burning hulk of the C. W. Wells remained afloat. It was later towed to Amherstburg, Ontario, but the extent of the damage meant that the vessel was declared a Total Loss. There is no record of the Tug being Rebuilt or returned to service after this incident.

Final Disposition

The burned-out Hull of the C. W. Wells was recovered and towed to Amherstburg, but it is unclear whether any part of the vessel was salvaged beyond basic equipment. Given the extensive fire damage, it’s likely that the Hull was either scrapped locally or left to deteriorate near the shore.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no confirmed records of the wreck being located or documented underwater. However, given that the hulk was towed ashore, it’s possible that remnants may still exist in the Amherstburg area or were dismantled after the incident.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – There are no known navigational hazards associated with the C. W. Wells wreck, and no specific markers have been placed related to her loss.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Amherstburg Freedom Museum & Maritime Resources
• Marine Museum of the Great Lakes at Kingston

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: C. W. Wells, Tugboat, Lake Erie shipwreck, Bar Point fire, Amherstburg maritime history, Horne Brothers, Great Lakes Tug loss

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes tugboats, Maritime Fires

Glossary Terms:

• Propeller Tug: A Tugboat powered by a steam engine driving a screw propeller, used for towing and maneuvering vessels.
• Bar Point: A location near the mouth of the Detroit River where it enters Lake Erie, known for its shoals and lightships.
• Lightship: A vessel anchored in hazardous areas to serve as a navigational aid, equipped with lights and signals to warn passing ships.
• Rebuilt: Refers to significant structural repairs or modifications made to a vessel to extend its operational life.
• Total Loss: A maritime term indicating that a vessel has sustained damage beyond economical repair.

Conclusion

The C. W. Wells served as a hardworking Tugboat during a time when vessels like hers were essential to the commerce and industry of the Great Lakes. Despite undergoing a Rebuild in 1896–97, her service was cut short by a catastrophic fire in 1897, a common hazard for wooden, steam-powered vessels of the era. The crew’s survival—despite being Abandoned without assistance—adds a dramatic note to her final voyage, while the vessel’s loss highlights the risks faced by even the most rugged workboats in maritime history.