A Steam Tug Lost to Flames
The Maggie Carroll, a propeller steam tug, sailed the waters of Lake Superior in the late 19th century. Built in 1883 by Matthew Carroll in Duluth, Minnesota, the tug met an unfortunate fate on September 28, 1893. In this article, we explore the vessel’s construction, ownership history, and the circumstances surrounding its tragic loss to a devastating fire.
Commissioned by Matthew Carroll, the Maggie Carroll was a wooden tug measuring 49 feet in length, 14 feet in width, and had a depth of 4 feet. With a gross tonnage of 16 tons and a net tonnage of 9 tons, the vessel featured a single deck. Originally enrolled as a two-mast schooner, it was later converted into a screw tug in 1884, primarily used for excursion and ferry services in Duluth, Ashland, and Bayfield.
On September 28, 1893, tragedy struck the Maggie Carroll while docked at the lighthouse in Superior, Wisconsin, on the Wisconsin side of the Duluth-Superior harbor. A fierce fire engulfed the vessel, rapidly spreading and eventually burning it to the waterline. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the tug succumbed to the fire, resulting in its sinking. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident.
The Maggie Carroll, a propeller steam tug that once plied the waters of Lake Superior, met its untimely end on September 28, 1893. While docked at the lighthouse in Superior, Wisconsin, the tug fell victim to a devastating fire that consumed the vessel, leaving it burned to the waterline and ultimately sinking. Although the Maggie Carroll’s voyage was cut short, the absence of loss of life provides a small solace in the face of this tragic event. The story of the Maggie Carroll serves as a reminder of the risks faced by vessels navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Superior and the perils that can arise from fire onboard.
