Satisfaction US 115115

Identification & Site Information: Satisfaction

• Name(s): Satisfaction
• Registry: United States
• Official Number: 115115
• Vessel Type: Tugboat
• Year Built: 1871
• Year Sank: 1899
• Hull Material: Wood
• Engine: Single Expansion Steam Engine
• Dimensions Length: 58 ft (17.68 m) Width: 15 ft (4.57 m) Depth: 8 ft (2.44 m)

Vessel Type

The Satisfaction was a small wooden tugboat built in 1871. Designed for towing and rescue operations, it featured a robust construction with towing bitts on the stern for handling demanding tasks. Its single-cylinder steam engine and firebox boiler powered its work on the Great Lakes.

Vessel History

The Satisfaction served as a dependable tug on Lake Michigan, supporting larger vessels in towing and rescue operations. Over its nearly three decades of service, the tug played a crucial role in the bustling maritime commerce of the Great Lakes. However, in 1899, the vessel caught fire while underway. The blaze proved uncontrollable, leading to the tug’s sinking off the coast of Wisconsin.

Wreck Site Information

• Location: Lake Michigan, off the coast of Wisconsin
• Depth: Approximately 100 ft (30.48 m)
• GPS Coordinates: Approx. 43.778516, -87.631546

Site Description

The wreck of the Satisfaction lies in over 100 feet of water. The hull is broken and rests on its port side. Significant features include:

• Stempost: Lying in the sand, with much of the outer hull planking sprung from the knighthead.
• Machinery:
• Firebox Boiler and Smokestack: Intact and visible.
• Single-Cylinder Steam Engine: Remains connected to the propeller shaft.
• Propeller and Shafting: Only one blade of the propeller is visible; the rudder lies under debris.
• Towing Bitts: The robust bitts used for towing and rescue remain connected to an inverted section of the stern deck.
• Fire Damage: Evidence of the fire that caused the vessel’s sinking is visible across the wreck site.

Final Dispositions

The Satisfaction was lost to a fire that could not be contained, a common hazard for wooden steam-powered vessels. Despite its tragic end, the wreck site offers a fascinating view into late 19th-century tugboat construction and operations.

Notmars & Advisories

• The wreck lies at a depth of 100 feet (30.48 m), accessible to advanced divers with proper equipment and certifications.

• The site is relatively intact but fragile due to the effects of fire and time. Divers are advised to avoid disturbing the structure.

Resources & Links

• Complete Historic Information: Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Satisfaction
• 3DShipwrecks – Satisfaction

3D Model

Satisfaction Tug by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Conclusion

The wreck of the Satisfaction stands as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by wooden steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes. Despite the vessel’s loss, its preserved machinery and towing bitts highlight its importance as a working tug. The site provides invaluable insights into the operations and risks of maritime commerce in the late 19th century.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: #Satisfaction, #Lake Michigan, #tugboat, #shipwreck, #Wisconsin, #wooden steam tug

• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Archaeology, 19th-Century Tugboats

• Glossary Terms:

• Knighthead: A vertical timber or structure used to support the bowsprit or anchor cables.

• Towing Bitts: Heavy-duty posts on a tugboat deck used for securing tow lines.

• Firebox Boiler: A type of steam boiler where fuel is burned to heat water into steam.