AJAX U1124

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Identification & Site Information #

Wreck Name: AJAX
Other Names: None specified for this vessel, but it may be confused with an earlier tug named AJAX.
Wreck Type: Sidewheel Tug
Dimensions: 107 feet in length, 28.6 feet in beam, and 4.7 feet in depth.
Gross Tonnage: 95.9 tons
Build Date: 1865
Builder: Florence (Bay City), Michigan
Propulsion: Sidewheel driven by one boiler, no propellers.
Final Location: Near Bay City, on Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.
Coordinates: Not specified.

Vessel Type Description #

The AJAX was a sidewheel tug, a type of vessel commonly used in the mid-19th century for towing and assisting larger ships. Sidewheel tugs, characterized by their paddle wheels on either side, were a prominent sight on the Great Lakes and rivers, providing essential services in ports and along navigable waterways. The AJAX was constructed using wood, typical of the era, and featured a single deck.

History #

The AJAX was originally built in 1865 in Florence (Bay City), Michigan. However, there is some confusion surrounding its construction, as historical records suggest it was built on the remains of another vessel also named AJAX, a tug constructed in 1855 in Tanktown (Ft. Howard), Wisconsin. The original AJAX was built by Morgan L. Martin and others in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

In its early operational years, the AJAX was owned by the Fox-Wisconsin Transportation Company and was used on routes between Green Bay and Fond du Lac/Oshkosh, Wisconsin. By 1859, ownership had transferred to Thomas Hubbell and Charles Harvey of Houghton, Michigan, where the vessel was employed in the Portage Canal.

The AJAX was reported as abandoned in 1860, but it seems the vessel was either rebuilt or re-registered in 1865 in Detroit, Michigan. At this point, it came under the ownership of the Chicago Salt & Lumber Company based in Saginaw, Michigan, and was described as a “riverboat.”

The vessel continued to change ownership, moving into the hands of C.W. Gibson of Bay City, Michigan, in 1867, and later Elias Denison and others in August of that year. By May 1868, the AJAX was owned by Amos Easton, also of Bay City.

Final Disposition #

On August 9, 1872, the AJAX met its tragic end when it caught fire near Bay City on Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. The fire caused significant damage estimated at $3,500. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported, and the vessel was not carrying any cargo at the time. The AJAX was registered out of Bay City, Michigan, and its final known location was near the Stone Island Dock in Saginaw Bay.

NOTMARs & Advisories #

Current Status: The exact location of the wreck is not specified, and there are no known current Notices to Mariners related to the wreck.

Located By & Date #

Discovery: The wreck of the AJAX has not been formally located or documented, and its exact resting place remains uncertain.

Resources & Links #

Great Lakes Ships: Ship Information
Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Explore Maritime History
David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Records

Conclusion #

The AJAX served as a vital part of Great Lakes maritime operations during its years of service. Despite the confusion surrounding its origins and the multiple changes in ownership, the vessel played an important role in regional transport and trade, particularly on the Fox-Wisconsin route and in Saginaw Bay. The fire that ultimately destroyed the AJAX is a reminder of the many hazards faced by wooden vessels in the 19th century, particularly in an era before modern firefighting and safety measures were standard.