The A.F. Bartlett was a wooden propeller steam tug (also referred to as a towboat) that was built in 1871 by H. Heminger in East Saginaw, Michigan. The tug had a length of 48 feet, a beam of 10.6 feet, and a depth of 5 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 10 tons and a net tonnage of 5 tons.
The ownership of the A.F. Bartlett changed several times throughout its history. It was initially owned by Captain R.J. Hackett when it was first built in October 1871. In 1876, ownership transferred to John Horn Jr. of Detroit, Michigan. However, on April 5, 1878, John Quinn, a submarine diver, acquired a half-interest in the tug for $175.
In September 1884, the A.F. Bartlett experienced a disastrous fire in Bay City, Michigan. The vessel was raised and underwent repairs to restore it to operational condition. It was subsequently enrolled in Monroe, Michigan.
The final demise of the A.F. Bartlett occurred in September 1888 in Duluth, Minnesota, on Lake Superior. The tug caught fire and was declared a total loss. The exact circumstances surrounding the fire and whether there were any casualties are not specified in the available information.
Despite being lost in the fire, the A.F. Bartlett remained on the vessel registry until 1900, although this was likely due to a paperwork oversight. The tug’s service history exemplifies its role as a working vessel involved in towing operations on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
