MAYFLOWER U17621

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Identification & Site Information #

Vessel Name: Mayflower
Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)
Depth: Not specified (Wrecked on Colchester Reef)
Location: Colchester Reef, Lake Erie
Coordinates: Not specified
Year Built: 1864
Built At: Marine City, Michigan
Hull Materials: Wood
Builder: Not specified
Original Owner: M.B. Kean and Edward Kean (Detroit and Cottrellville, Michigan)
Dimensions:
- Length: Initially 108 feet, re-measured to 113 feet
- Beam (Width): 22 feet, later re-measured to 21.3 feet
- Depth: 8 feet 8 inches, later re-measured to 10.7 feet
- Gross Tonnage: Initially 190 23/95 tons (Old measurement), later re-measured to 167.67 tons
- Net Tonnage: 151.06 tons after repairs

Vessel Type Description #

The Mayflower was a wooden-hulled tug, also known as a towboat, constructed in 1864. It was equipped with a low-pressure screw propulsion system, powered by a single-cylinder engine measuring 24 by 36 inches. The vessel’s boiler, measuring 8 by 18 1/2 feet, was of a tubular design. The Mayflower was designed for towing and other support duties on the Great Lakes, serving various owners throughout its operational life.

History #

The Mayflower was built in Marine City, Michigan, in 1864 and enrolled in Detroit on July 25 of the same year. Originally owned by M.B. Kean and Edward Kean, the vessel played a crucial role in maritime operations on the Great Lakes. It underwent a re-measurement in 1865, which slightly altered its recorded dimensions.

In 1869, ownership of the Mayflower transferred to P.E. Kean from Marine City and N.A. Kean from Detroit. The vessel continued to serve as a tug, facilitating the movement of other ships and cargo across the lakes. By 1875, the Mayflowerunderwent repairs that increased its gross tonnage, and ownership was consolidated under P.E. Kean and L.P. Kean, both from Marine City.

The Mayflower faced several incidents during its service life. In August 1871, it experienced machinery failure off White Rock in Lake Huron, but it managed to continue its operations. The vessel’s resilience was tested again when it sank on August 7, 1878, in Monroe, Lake Erie, while carrying staves and cordwood. Despite this, the Mayflower was successfully raised and returned to service.

Final Voyage and Wreck #

The Mayflower met its final fate on September 11, 1881, when it was caught in a gale and wrecked on Colchester Reef in Lake Erie. The vessel ran aground and became a total loss. The event marked the end of the Mayflower‘s service on the Great Lakes. In 1882, the vessel’s machinery was salvaged, and its documents were officially surrendered in Detroit on June 30, 1882, marking the closure of its operational history.

Final Disposition #

Date of Loss: September 11, 1881
Cause of Loss: Wrecked on Colchester Reef during a gale
Salvage Operations: Machinery salvaged in 1882
Registry Closed: June 30, 1882, in Detroit

Tags #

Shipwreck
Tug
Lake Erie
Colchester Reef
Maritime History
19th Century Vessel

Conclusion #

The Mayflower serves as an example of the many small but vital vessels that operated on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. From its construction in 1864 to its eventual wreck on Colchester Reef in 1881, the Mayflower faced numerous challenges, including machinery failures and sinking incidents, yet it continued to serve until its final demise. The vessel’s history is a testament to the resilience and determination of those who operated on the Great Lakes, facing both the unpredictable waters and the powerful storms that frequently swept across the region.