Niagara, 1904 #
- Tugboat
The Niagara, a tugboat built in 1872 in Detroit, was an early example of the large “outside” tugboats used in the Great Lakes logging industry. Constructed by Campbell & Owen, the vessel featured a wooden hull and had a plain head and round stern design. Measuring 130 feet in length, 24.7 feet in beam, and 8.7 feet in depth, it had a gross tonnage of 276.87.
Powered by a single screw propulsion system, the Niagara was equipped with a high-pressure engine manufactured by Dry Dock Engine Works in Detroit. The engine had one cylinder and was supported by two boilers. The tugboat played a significant role in various operations, including raising schooners such as the FRANCIS PALM and SWEETHEART in 1873.
Over the years, ownership of the Niagara changed hands, with notable owners including Henry Esselstyn and Benjamin Boutell. The tugboat underwent several modifications, including a rebuild in 1889 and re-engining in 1890, which involved installing a fore-and-aft compound engine manufactured by Frontier Iron Works in Detroit.
Tragically, on June 4, 1904, the Niagara met its demise when it ran aground at Knife Island, Lake Superior. The vessel was en route from Duluth and encountered heavy seas while dealing with a malfunctioning compass. Despite the crew’s efforts, the tugboat crashed into the rocks along the island’s shoreline. Fortunately, all 11 crew members and two passengers were rescued just in time before the ship began to break apart.
Today, the remains of the Niagara lie on a rocky slope of Knife Island. The wreckage is divided into four main sections: the stem, the starboard side and keel, a detached section of starboard rail, and the port side. The loss of the Niagara serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by early tugboats operating in the Great Lakes and the bravery of the individuals who worked on them.
