1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Porter, later renamed Howard, was a wooden-hulled propeller tug (towboat) built in 1864 in Wilmington, Delaware. The vessel had a square stern and measured 118 feet (35.97 meters) in length, with a beam of 21 feet 5 inches (6.53 meters) and a depth of 8 feet 1 inch (2.46 meters). The tug was initially equipped with a single high-pressure steam engine producing 250 horsepower, driving a single propeller. The engine was built by Reany, Son & Archibald in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1864.
Over the years, the tug underwent significant modifications, including a major rebuild in 1889 when it was renamed Howard. The rebuild included the installation of a steeple compound steam engine generating 300 horsepower and a Scotch boiler added in 1892. The Howard served various towing roles on the Great Lakes, including towing log rafts.
3. HISTORY #
The Porter was originally constructed during the American Civil War and served as a Union gunboat before transitioning to commercial operations. After the war, the tug changed ownership multiple times, serving various companies and individuals in different locations, including Philadelphia, Chicago, and Port Huron. In 1889, the tug was rebuilt, and its name was changed to Howard under the ownership of Henry Howard of Port Huron.
The Howard continued to operate as a towboat, primarily towing log rafts, and remained in service for several decades. It was involved in a notable accident in 1904 when it crashed into the Third Street Bridge in Bay City, Michigan. Despite this incident, the Howard continued to serve until its final voyage.
On June 13, 1921, the Howard was wrecked near the southwest tip of Victoria Island in Lake Superior. The vessel ran aground in foggy conditions, becoming stranded. Fortunately, the crew managed to escape unharmed. The vessel’s documents were officially surrendered on September 14, 1921, marking the end of its operational life.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Howard met its final fate on June 13, 1921, when it was wrecked near the southwest tip of Victoria Island in Lake Superior. The tug ran aground in foggy conditions and was stranded, leading to its eventual loss. The wreck is located at a depth of approximately 110 feet (35 meters), with some reports suggesting that parts of the wreck may be at a depth of 150 feet (50 meters).
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories specifically related to the wreck of the Howard. However, mariners navigating near the southwest tip of Victoria Island should be aware of the wreck’s location, especially given its varying reported depths.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Howard is located near the southwest tip of Victoria Island, Lake Superior, at the coordinates N48°04.858′ W89°21.765′. The specific date of the wreck’s discovery is not provided.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the Howard lies at a depth of 110 feet (35 meters), with some parts possibly deeper at 150 feet (50 meters). The wreck is accessible to experienced divers, particularly those trained in deep diving. The condition of the wooden structure may be significantly deteriorated after decades underwater, but the site remains an interesting location for exploration.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Historical records and sources on the tug Porter/Howard
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Website
- Bowling Green State University: Website
- Great Lakes Ships: Website
9. ADDITIONAL NOTES #
The history of the Porter/Howard reflects the versatility and resilience of Great Lakes tugboats during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally built as a Union gunboat, the tug transitioned to commercial service, enduring multiple ownership changes, rebuilds, and incidents before meeting its end in Lake Superior. The Howard’s final wreck in 1921 serves as a reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly in challenging weather conditions.
10. DIVING NOTES & RECOMMENDATIONS #
The wreck of the Howard lies at a depth of 110 feet (35 meters), with some sections rumored to be at 150 feet (50 meters), making it suitable for advanced divers with deep diving experience. The site offers an opportunity to explore a piece of maritime history, though divers should be cautious of the deteriorated wooden structure. Proper preparation and respect for the historical significance of the wreck are essential for any dive at this location.
TAGS #
- Lake Superior
- 19th Century
- Tugboat
- Maritime History
- Shipwreck
- Diving Site
CONCLUSION #
The propeller tug Porter, later renamed Howard, had a long and varied career on the Great Lakes, from serving as a Union gunboat during the Civil War to its final days as a commercial towboat. Its wreck near Victoria Island in Lake Superior remains a significant part of Great Lakes maritime history. The site offers divers and historians alike a glimpse into the challenges and changes faced by vessels of this era, making it an important and intriguing subject of study.
