Other Names
- SUMPTER
History
The Barbara Lyn, originally named Sumter, was built in 1958 in Bayou La Batre, Alabama by Bryant Boats Inc. of Mobile. It was initially owned by U.S. Leasing of Mobile before being acquired by Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Sales of Mobile in 1961. The tugboat changed hands again in 1968, when it was purchased by R.K. Davis Transportation Inc. of Newport News, Virginia, and then by C & P Towing Company of Norfolk, VA in 1972.
In the late 1980s, Ryba Marine Construction of Cheboygan, Michigan acquired the tugboat and renamed it Barbara Lyn. Tragically, on October 1, 1990, while towing two construction barges en route to Alpena, Michigan, the Barbara Lyn capsized and sank in Lake Huron off the thumb of Michigan. The incident occurred in stormy conditions with 12-foot seas, resulting in the loss of one crew member’s life.
Initially sunk in approximately 208 feet of water, a salvage attempt was made in 2014, successfully raising the Barbara Lyn to the surface. However, bad weather and a subsequent storm caused the tugboat to be grounded off Port Austin. During this time, the pilothouse was destroyed, and the tugboat resank in shallower waters, resting at a depth of 20 feet.
Please note that the information provided is based on the details you provided, and there may be additional historical or technical details about the Barbara Lyn that are not included here.
