- Tug (Tow)
- 12ffw 4m
- 100ft Length
- West Sister Island, Lake Erie
- 41 44. 263 83 06.149
The CUSTODIAN, a wooden propeller tug (towboat), was built in 1919 by M. M. Davis & Sons in Solomons, Maryland. It had a length of 126 feet, a beam of 29.9 feet, and a depth of 13.7 feet. With a gross tonnage of 359 tons and a net tonnage of 199 tons, it was a sturdy vessel designed for towing operations.
In 1925, tragedy struck the CUSTODIAN when it caught fire on June 23 near West Sister Island, Ohio. At the time, there were 14 individuals on board, but fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. The vessel was completely consumed by the fire, resulting in a total loss.
Prior to the unfortunate event, the CUSTODIAN had a history of service. It was initially built for the U.S. Shipping Board and later sold privately in 1920 to Pringle Barge Line, based in Cleveland, Ohio. The tug played a crucial role in towing operations, supporting the transportation of coal-laden barges.
The loss of the CUSTODIAN due to the fire marked the end of its maritime journey.
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