The tugboat JAMES AMADEUS had a rich history with several notable events. In 1883, the vessel underwent significant reconstruction, and its dimensions were recorded as 62.8 feet in length, 14.9 feet in width, and 8 feet in depth, with a tonnage of 44.67/22.23 tons. It required repairs in 1890 to ensure its continued operation.
Tragedy struck on November 3, 1892, when the JAMES AMADEUS sank in Lake Erie. Details of the sinking were covered in historical articles from that time. The tugboat, owned by Patrick Smith of Cleveland, was on a mission to aid the stranded schooner BALDWIN when it foundered near Cleveland. The crew managed to escape, and they were rescued by the steamer RALEIGH. The incident caused the JAMES AMADEUS to sink beneath the waters.
Another unfortunate incident involving the JAMES AMADEUS occurred on June 28, 1893. The wooden propeller tug, measuring 65 feet in length and weighing 44 gross tons, sprang a leak and foundered near Cleveland, Ohio. As the vessel began to sink, the crew abandoned ship, narrowly escaping before the tugboat went down.
Efforts were made to salvage and recover the wreck of the JAMES AMADEUS. The tug’s sinking location was approximately five miles off Point Pelee in Lake Erie. The tugboat lay in about 30 feet of water, posing a challenge for the salvage operations. Wrecking outfits and crews were dispatched to release and retrieve the sunken vessel, and these efforts were documented in various news reports.
The JAMES AMADEUS, with its history of rebuilds, repairs, and unfortunate sinkings, left a mark on the Great Lakes maritime heritage. Its story serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks faced by vessels navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Erie.
