CUSTODIAN U218783

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Wreck Name: CUSTODIAN
Type: Wooden Propeller Tugboat (Towboat)
Date of Incident: June 23, 1925
Location: Near West Sister Island, Lake Erie
Coordinates: 41° 44.263′ N, 83° 06.149′ W
Depth: 12 feet (4 meters)
Condition: Completely destroyed by fire; wreckage remains in shallow waters near West Sister Island

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #

The CUSTODIAN was a wooden propeller tugboat built in 1919 by M. M. Davis & Sons in Solomons, Maryland. The vessel was designed for towing operations and had a length of 126 feet, a beam of 29.9 feet, and a depth of 13.7 feet. With a gross tonnage of 359 tons and a net tonnage of 199 tons, the CUSTODIAN was a robust and capable tug, built to support the heavy demands of towing coal-laden barges and other large vessels on the Great Lakes.

HISTORY #

The CUSTODIAN was initially constructed for the U.S. Shipping Board, a federal agency established during World War I to manage the nation’s shipbuilding and shipping resources. In 1920, the tug was sold to Pringle Barge Line, a Cleveland-based company, where it continued to serve in towing operations on the Great Lakes.

On June 23, 1925, the CUSTODIAN was involved in a tragic incident when it caught fire near West Sister Island, Ohio, in Lake Erie. The fire completely consumed the vessel, resulting in its total loss. Fortunately, all 14 individuals on board at the time managed to escape without any loss of life, a fortunate outcome given the severity of the fire.

The CUSTODIAN had been an essential part of the towing operations on the Great Lakes, particularly in supporting the coal transportation industry. Its loss was a significant event for the company and the region’s maritime community.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

The CUSTODIAN was completely destroyed by fire and now lies in shallow waters near West Sister Island, Lake Erie. The wreckage remains at a depth of 12 feet, making it relatively accessible but also highly deteriorated due to the fire and subsequent years submerged. The shallow depth and the condition of the wreck may limit its appeal as a diving site, but it remains a part of the historical narrative of Great Lakes shipping.

5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to this wreck site, though the location is known to the local maritime community and may be noted in historical navigational records.

LOCATED BY & DATE #

The wreck site was identified following the incident in 1925, with its position near West Sister Island making it a known, though not heavily trafficked, area in Lake Erie.

7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #

The wreckage of the CUSTODIAN lies in shallow water, at a depth of 12 feet near West Sister Island. The vessel was destroyed by fire, so the remaining structure is likely fragmented and in poor condition. The site is accessible to divers, though the shallow depth and deteriorated state of the wreck may limit the interest for exploration. Visibility in the area may also vary depending on weather and water conditions.

RESOURCES & LINKS #

Primary Sources: Historical records, maritime incident reports, and company logs.
Further Reading:

CONCLUSION #

The loss of the CUSTODIAN on June 23, 1925, due to a devastating fire, marked the end of a vessel that had played a vital role in towing operations on the Great Lakes. The fortunate survival of all 14 crew members is a notable aspect of the tragedy. Today, the wreck remains a part of Lake Erie’s maritime history, lying in shallow waters near West Sister Island.