Shipwreck Report: Steam Tug COMET

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: COMET

• Official Number: 125978

• Vessel Type: Steam Tug

• Year Built: 1881

• Builder: J.P. Arnold, Muskegon, Michigan

• Dimensions:

• Length: 66.6 feet (20.3 meters)

• Beam: 13.9 feet (4.2 meters)

• Depth: 6.5 feet (2 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 31.84 tons

• Net Tonnage: 15.92 tons

• Propulsion: Wooden propeller, powered by a 20-horsepower engine

• Ownership History:

• Initial owner: Muskegon Booming Co., Muskegon, Michigan (President: N. McGraft)

• Subsequent owners: Ira O. Smith and A.C. Mayo (Muskegon, MI), later Philip Westaway and others (Duluth, MN).

Vessel Type Description

The COMET was a steam-powered wooden Tugboat, designed primarily for utility and towing operations. Such vessels were integral to the timber and shipping industries of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, facilitating the movement of barges and smaller vessels through the vast waterways. Compact and robust, the COMET exemplified the functional design of tugs in that era.

History

The COMET was constructed in 1881 in Muskegon, Michigan, and began its operational life under the ownership of the Muskegon Booming Co., a key player in the regional timber industry. Throughout its service, the Tug changed hands several times, reflecting its enduring utility and value in the dynamic Great Lakes economy.

By 1888, the COMET was equipped with a 20-horsepower steam engine, maintaining its role as a reliable workhorse. It served primarily in timber and freight-related towing operations along Lake Michigan and later Lake Superior.

Final Disposition

On October 12, 1897, the COMET met a tragic fate when it was engulfed in flames off Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake Superior. Despite the catastrophic fire that consumed the vessel, no lives were lost, highlighting the crew’s swift and effective evacuation.

• Cause of Incident: Fire (specific cause unknown, but fires were a common hazard on wooden steam-powered vessels due to coal sparks, boiler accidents, or other onboard sources).

• Location of Wreck:

• Approximately half a mile east of Burlington Point, Two Harbors, Minnesota, in Lake Superior.

• Depth: Between 150 to 180 feet (45–55 meters).

• Outcome: Total Loss of vessel. Its official documents were surrendered on December 31, 1897, marking the official end of its service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the COMET rests in deep water at a depth of 150 to 180 feet, near Two Harbors. Given its wooden construction and the extensive damage caused by fire, the wreck is likely in a deteriorated state, with much of the structure potentially fragmented or buried in the lakebed. The site is accessible to advanced divers with proper deep-diving certifications and equipment.

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

• Current Notices: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck of the COMET.

• Advisories: Divers should exercise caution due to the depth and potential hazards such as sharp wreckage or entanglement risks.

Legacy

The COMET serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by wooden steam-powered vessels in the 19th century. Its role in supporting the timber industry and maritime operations on the Great Lakes reflects the vital economic contributions of tugs like it during that era. The fire that led to its loss underscores the ever-present dangers of operating in a time when fire safety measures were rudimentary at best.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: For historical records and further details on Great Lakes vessels.

• Save Ontario Shipwrecks: General guidelines on wreck exploration and preservation.

• NOAA’s Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Program: Additional information on Lake Superior shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The steam Tug COMET had a short but impactful career in the Great Lakes maritime industry. Its final chapter, marked by a devastating fire in Lake Superior, serves as a historical snapshot of the risks inherent to wooden steam vessels. While its physical presence has long since succumbed to the depths, the COMET remains an enduring piece of Great Lakes history.

Keywords

#SteamTug #LakeSuperiorWreck #COMET #GreatLakesShipwreck #19thCenturyTugboats #TwoHarborsWrecks #MaritimeHistory #WoodenPropellerVessels

If further details or historical documentation on the COMET are required, feel free to reach out!