A Sidewheel Tug’s Tragic End
Maritime history is replete with tales of vessels lost at sea, but the stories of inland waterway vessels should not be forgotten. The E.T. Carrington, a sidewheel tug, met its untimely demise on August 23, 1907, in the treacherous waters of Lake Superior. In this article, we delve into the construction, history, and final voyage of the E.T. Carrington, shedding light on the events that led to its tragic end.
The E.T. Carrington was built in 1876 by Thomas Boston in Bangor, Michigan. Constructed with wood, the tug had dimensions of 76 feet in length, 17 feet in width, and a depth of 5.2 feet. Initially owned by the Rifle River Boom Company, the tug served the waterways with a gross tonnage of 57 tons and a net tonnage of 48 tons. Equipped with a sidewheel propulsion system and powered by a 15.5″ x 17″ engine generating 80 horsepower, the E.T. Carrington was primarily engaged in tug and passenger services.
On August 23, 1907, the E.T. Carrington set sail from Ashland, Wisconsin, bound for Duluth, Minnesota. However, the vessel’s ill fate awaited it just 15 miles northeast of Duluth. As the tug made its way through Lake Superior, it sprang a leak and foundered in the midst of a storm. Despite the perilous circumstances, the crew was fortunate to be rescued by the steamer Frederick B. Wells. While the vessel was lost, no lives were reported lost in the incident.
The E.T. Carrington had faced misfortune prior to its final voyage. In 1885 or 1886, on May 17, the tug was nearly destroyed by fire while towing a log raft off Baraga, Michigan. However, the specific details and extent of the damage incurred during this incident are not provided in the available records.
The E.T. Carrington, a sidewheel tug that once plied the waters of Lake Superior, met its tragic end on August 23, 1907. Despite its valiant service and notable history, the vessel succumbed to the forces of nature during a storm, ultimately sinking in the lake’s unforgiving waters. While the E.T. Carrington now rests at the bottom of Lake Superior, the story of this sidewheel tug serves as a testament to the risks and challenges faced by maritime vessels, reminding us of the sacrifices made by the crew members who navigated these perilous waters.
