IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Name: ACME

•Type: Tug (Towboat)

•Location: Buffalo, NY, Lake Erie

•Coordinates: 42° 50’ 42” N, -78° 57’ 50.4” W

•Depth: 30 feet (9 meters)

•Condition: Scattered wreckage

•Year Built: 1893

•Builder: O’Grady & Maher, Buffalo, NY

•Owner (at sinking): Hand & Johnson Tug Line

•Year of Loss: April 15, 1902

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The ACME was a wooden-hulled Tug (Towboat) with a single Deck, designed for towing operations on the Great Lakes. Its compact dimensions (66.8 feet long, 17 feet beam, and 9.6 feet depth) and powerful engine made it suitable for its role in bustling harbor and towing activities. The vessel had a Gross Tonnage of 58.52 and a Net Tonnage of 29.26.

Powered by a high-pressure non-condensing (HPNC) engine built by Sutton Bros. of Buffalo in 1893, the Tug produced 500 horsepower at 120 rpm, using a single-cylinder engine (22 x 26 inches). It was equipped with a Firebox Boiler measuring 8 feet 6 inches by 14 feet, built by Riter Bros. of Buffalo in 1892, operating at 125 psi.

HISTORY

The ACME was launched in Buffalo, NY, in 1893 for the Maytham Tug Line. Over its operational life, it passed through several owners, including the Great Lakes Towing Co. and Hand & Johnson Tug Line, both based in Buffalo.

On April 15, 1902, tragedy struck when the Tug was run down by the Steamer WILKESBARRE of the Lehigh Valley Line. The collision occurred off Buffalo, near the Buffalo Breakwater. Despite the severity of the incident, all four individuals aboard the Tug survived. The ACME was declared a Total Loss, with its wreckage scattered near the Breakwater. Some pieces, including the pilot house, were found floating in the river near Niagara Falls. Salvage was deemed impossible.

The vessel’s registry documents were officially surrendered in Buffalo on August 17, 1907.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The ACME was lost due to a collision with the WILKESBARRE on April 15, 1902. The wreck lies scattered in Lake Erie near the Buffalo Breakwater at a depth of approximately 30 feet (9 meters).

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically associated with the wreck of the ACME. Divers should exercise caution due to the scattered nature of the wreckage.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck site of the ACME was known shortly after the collision, given its proximity to the Buffalo Breakwater and reports of floating debris.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The ACME’s wreckage is scattered at a shallow depth of 30 feet (9 meters). The wooden Hull and structural elements have likely deteriorated over time, but portions of the wreck may still be accessible for exploration. The site’s proximity to the Buffalo Breakwater makes it a potential point of interest for divers.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships Database

•Bowling Green State University

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File

KEYWORDS

•ACME

•Tug

•Shipwreck

•Lake Erie

•Buffalo Breakwater

•Maritime History

•Towboat Collision

CONCLUSION

The loss of the ACME in 1902 highlights the risks faced by small vessels operating in busy Great Lakes ports. Its powerful design and dedicated service reflect the importance of tugs in facilitating maritime trade and navigation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While its wreckage is scattered and beyond salvage, the ACME remains a part of Buffalo’s maritime history and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels navigating these inland seas.