HOWARD

description

The Admiral D.D. Porter, originally known as the Howard, was a tug (towboat) with a rich history that spanned several decades. Built in 1864 at Wilmington, DE, the vessel had a square stern and was constructed using wood as the primary hull material. Its official number was 980, and it was initially owned by Thomas Clyde of Philadelphia, PA, with J.J. Archibald as the builder, under the supervision of Harlan & Hollingsworth.

The power of the Admiral D.D. Porter came from a high-pressure engine with a single cylinder, providing propulsion through a screw mechanism. The engine, measuring 30″ x 30″ and generating 250 horsepower, was built by Reany, Son & Archibald in Chester, PA, in 1864. The tug had a single propeller.

In terms of dimensions, the Admiral D.D. Porter measured 118 feet in length, 21 feet 5 inches in beam, and 8 feet 1 inch in depth. Its tonnage, according to the old style measurement, was recorded as 192 63/95.

Tragically, the final disposition of the Admiral D.D. Porter occurred on June 13, 1921, when it stranded in fog and was wrecked near the southwest tip of Victoria Island, close to Fort William on Lake Superior. The vessel met its final resting place at a depth ranging from 50 to 130 feet. Fortunately, the crew was able to escape the wreckage. On September 14, 1921, the documents for the tug were surrendered.

Throughout its history, the Admiral D.D. Porter underwent numerous changes in ownership and underwent several transformations. During the American Civil War, it served as a Union gunboat. On May 31, 1866, it was owned by the Delaware & Chesapeake Tow Boat Co. of Philadelphia, PA, and underwent a remeasurement that resulted in a gross tonnage of 111.93. Ownership transferred to the Peshtigo Company of Wisconsin on May 13, 1867, with Chicago, IL, as its homeport. The vessel’s dimensions at that time were 110.8 feet in length, 21.2 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 111.88.

Over the years, the Admiral D.D. Porter changed hands multiple times, with different owners based in locations such as New York, Cleveland, Buffalo, Quebec, St. Catharines, and Sarnia. The tug underwent various rebuildings and modifications, including partial rebuilding by William Powers in Kingston, ONT, in 1882 and a complete rebuild in Port Huron, MI, in 1889. It was during this rebuild that the vessel was renamed the Howard and owned by Henry Howard of Port Huron. The tug’s dimensions at that time were 114.5 feet in length, 22.2 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 195.48 and a net tonnage of 97.74. The engine was also rebuilt as a steeple compound generating 300 horsepower at 100 rpm.

The Admiral D.D. Porter experienced various incidents throughout its history, including collisions, fires, and accidents. It crashed into the Third Street Bridge in Bay City, MI, on April 6, 1904. However, it was on June 13, 1921, that the tug met its final fate, being wrecked after stranding in fog near Fort William on Lake Superior.

The history of the Admiral D.D. Porter, later known as the Howard, showcases the vessel’s extensive journey, its involvement in the American Civil War, and

its various transformations and challenges over the years. It serves as a testament to the importance of tugboats in maritime operations and the risks faced by vessels navigating the waters of the Great Lakes.