SHIPWRECK REPORT: MARIA MELVIN

Type: Steam-Powered Tugboat

Incident Date: August 20, 1870

Location: Near Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Maria Melvin

• Construction:

• Builder: Unknown

• Year Built: 1865

• Material: Wooden Hull

• Primary Use: Towing and assisting schooners and other vessels on the Great Lakes

HISTORY

Role and Design:

The Maria Melvin was a typical mid-19th-century steam-powered Tugboat, designed for towing schooners and larger vessels through challenging conditions. Tugs like the Maria Melvin played a vital role in Great Lakes navigation, particularly in harbors and shallow or narrow channels.

Incident (August 20, 1870):

• Event:

• The Tug was attempting to assist the Schooner Norwegian during adverse weather conditions near Oswego Harbor, Lake Ontario.

• While securing a tow line, the Maria Melvin ran aground.

• Outcome:

• The vessel was refloated on August 24, 1870, by the Canadian Steamer Wellington.

• The Tug underwent repairs at Goble & Macfarlane’s dry dock in Oswego.

• No significant damage or loss of life was reported.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• The Maria Melvin resumed operations following repairs.

• No detailed records are available regarding its later operational life or final disposition.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Maria Melvin represents the crucial role of steam tugs in 19th-century maritime operations on the Great Lakes. Its grounding highlights the inherent risks faced by Tug operators, particularly during severe weather or complex towing operations. The incident underscores the interdependence of steam tugs and schooners during this era of Great Lakes navigation.

NOTES

• Associated Vessel: The Schooner Norwegian, which the Tug was assisting, was lost near Oswego Harbor in the same year (1870).

• Weather Conditions: The grounding occurred during challenging weather, typical of Lake Ontario’s unpredictable storms.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Great Lakes Maritime Archives

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

This report captures the historical significance of the Maria Melvin’s role in maritime operations and its noteworthy incident near Oswego Harbor.

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Maria Melvin

• Type: Tugboat

• Incident Date: August 20, 1870

• Location of Incident: Exact location unspecified; associated with the Schooner Norwegian.

Vessel Type Description

The Maria Melvin was a steam-powered Tugboat typical of the mid-19th century, designed for towing schooners and other vessels in the Great Lakes. Tugs like the Maria Melvin were crucial for navigating treacherous waters and for assisting larger, wind-powered ships in harbors and along narrow or shallow channels.

Incident Summary

On August 20, 1870, the Maria Melvin was involved in an incident with the Schooner Norwegian. The Tug was attempting to secure a tow line to assist the Schooner when it ran aground during the operation.

Despite the grounding, the Maria Melvin was successfully refloated and underwent repairs. No significant damage to the Tug or loss of life was reported in available accounts.

Context

Tugboats like the Maria Melvin were essential for maneuvering sail-powered vessels in challenging weather or close quarters. Groundings during towing operations were not uncommon due to the complex nature of these maneuvers, especially in shallow or poorly charted waters.

This incident highlights the risks faced by Tug operators in their vital role supporting the Great Lakes shipping industry during the 19th century.

Final Disposition

The Maria Melvin was refloated and repaired after the grounding incident. Its subsequent history, including its operational life and final disposition, is not detailed in available records.

Historical Notes

• The Maria Melvin’s role in assisting the Norwegian exemplifies the interdependence of steam-powered tugs and sail-powered schooners on the Great Lakes.

• Towing operations required precise coordination, making incidents like this a part of the hazards of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century.

Resources

• Great Lakes Maritime Archives: For additional records on 19th-century Tug operations and the Maria Melvin.

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Repository of incident reports and vessel histories.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Potential source for further details on both vessels involved.

Conclusion

The Maria Melvin’s grounding during its attempt to assist the Schooner Norwegian underscores the challenges faced by Tug operators navigating the Great Lakes. While the incident was resolved without major loss, it remains a historical example of the risks inherent in early maritime support operations.