A Steam Tug Converted from a Schooner on Lake Erie in 1893 #
The Jordan Beebe Jr., originally built as a schooner in 1881, met a tragic end in a fire on Lake Erie in 1893. Converted into a steam tug in 1884, the vessel played a significant role in the fishing industry. In this article, we delve into the construction and conversion of the Jordan Beebe Jr., its ownership history, and the details surrounding its fiery demise off Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island.
The Jordan Beebe Jr. was initially constructed in 1881 as a schooner in Bay City, Michigan, by R. Satimore. It had a length of 46 feet, a beam of 14 feet, and a depth of 5 feet. With a gross tonnage of 21 tons and a net tonnage of 20 tons, the vessel was primarily designed for fishing purposes. However, in 1884, the original owner converted it into a steam tug, expanding its capabilities and transforming its role on the water.
Upon its conversion into a steam tug, the Jordan Beebe Jr. changed hands several times. It was initially owned by W.A. Beebe of Bay City. Subsequently, ownership passed to C.B. Curtis in 1888 and then to Henry L. Shaw and Laura W. Shaw in 1889. By 1891, David E. Dues had assumed ownership of the vessel.
On November 20, 1893, tragedy struck the Jordan Beebe Jr. when it fell victim to a devastating fire. The fire occurred off Put-in-Bay, located on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. While the exact circumstances and cause of the fire are unknown, it resulted in the complete loss of the vessel. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or loss of life during this incident.
Following the fire, the Jordan Beebe Jr. was declared a total loss, and its official documentation was surrendered on December 29, 1893. The vessel’s demise marked the end of its service in the fishing industry and left behind a somber legacy of its fiery fate on Lake Erie.
The Jordan Beebe Jr.’s transformation from a schooner to a steam tug and its subsequent loss in a fire on Lake Erie in 1893 tell a poignant tale of the risks faced by vessels engaged in maritime activities. The vessel’s significance in the fishing industry, as well as its varied ownership history, further add to its historical value. Although the exact details of its fiery demise remain a mystery, the loss of the Jordan Beebe Jr. serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by mariners and the unpredictable nature of life on the Great Lakes.
