- Tug Boat
- 25ffw 8m
- 100ft Length
- 45 59.232 N
83.53.832 W
History #
The history of the tugboat General is one filled with both triumphs and tragedies. Constructed in 1900 by James Davidson in Bay City, Michigan, this wooden vessel played a crucial role in towing and wrecking operations on the upper Great Lakes for over a decade. With its impressive dimensions of 97.5 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and a depth of 10 feet, the General was a formidable presence on the waters. Its gross tonnage stood at 132 tons, making it a powerful workhorse of its time.
The General was originally built for the Union Towing and Wrecking Company of Duluth, MN, which was managed by the esteemed Great Lakes Towing Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Its primary duty was to navigate the challenging waters of the St. Marys River, where accidents and vessel groundings were all too common.
However, the General’s fate took a dark turn on November 30, 1910, when a tragic collision with the Canadian Pacific Steamer Athabasca near Lime Island in the St. Marys River led to the loss of three lives. The tug sank and remained on the riverbed until 1919 when it was eventually raised by T. L. Durocher of DeTour, MI. Durocher, a visionary entrepreneur, put the General back into service, dedicating it to his salvage, dock, and dredge business for the next decade.
But the General’s trials were far from over. On April 7, 1930, disaster struck again when a devastating fire consumed the vessel while docked at DeTour, Michigan. The inferno reduced the once-mighty tugboat to a mere hull with remnants of its cabins. Tragically, the salvaged engine, boiler, and major machinery were all lost in the blaze.
Today, the remains of the General rest in shallow waters, just off the northwesterly shoreline of Frying Pan Island, Lake Michigan. The wreck, with much of its hull still intact, lies approximately 15 to 25 feet below the surface. Divers exploring the site can witness a poignant reminder of the vessel’s past in the form of a substantial steering quadrant near the stern.
While the General is now a shadow of its former self, its legacy lives on as a poignant reminder of the maritime history and the challenges faced by sailors on the Great Lakes. The wreck serves as an interesting dive site for enthusiasts, offering the chance to explore the remnants of a once-mighty tugboat that braved the unpredictable waters of the St. Marys River.
Protected from harsh weather conditions, the General’s wreck is accessible to divers in almost all weather conditions, making it an excellent alternative dive spot when Lake Huron’s open waters become too rough. Its location near Frying Pan Island, south of DeTour, and the nearby park make it easily reachable from shore, inviting curious adventurers to explore its intriguing history beneath the waves.
As the General rests in its watery grave, it stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of those who traversed the Great Lakes, a tangible link to a bygone era of maritime exploration, and a reminder of the perils faced by those who dared to sail the unforgiving waters of Lake Michigan and the St. Marys River.
