Other Names #
- SS RUMMAGE
- CHARLIE O. SMITH
The steam screw BETTY L., originally known as the S.S. RUMMAGE, was a tug (towboat) built in 1863 at Cleveland, Ohio. Its official number was 22380. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 56.69 tons and net tonnage of 30.34 tons. It measured approximately 73.3 feet in length, 16.0 feet in width, and 8.3 feet in depth.
Throughout its history, the tug underwent various ownership changes and name modifications. It was initially owned by Williams & Rumage of Buffalo, New York. In 1864, it came under the ownership of R. Anderson from Cleveland, Ohio. In August 1865, it was remeasured and its dimensions were recorded as 73.3 feet in length, 18.0 feet in width, and 8.0 feet in depth. At that time, its gross tonnage was listed as 56.69 tons.
Over the years, the tug changed hands several times. In 1892, it was renamed CHARLIE O. SMITH and underwent significant rebuilding at Wheeler & Company in Bay City, Michigan. The vessel was reconstructed to measure 74.0 feet in length, 17.0 feet in width, and 8.3 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 63.9 tons and a net tonnage of 39.12 tons. The rebuilding process included installing a new boiler and a steeple compound engine, among other modifications.
In January 1893, the tug’s name was changed once again, this time to BETTY L. Its ownership continued to change hands throughout the years. In August 1929, it was renamed BETTY L. for the last time.
Tragically, on November 6, 1929, the BETTY L. burned at the dock in Wallaceburg, Ontario, located on the Saint Clair River. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident. This marked the vessel’s final disposition.
Please note that the information provided is based on historical records and may not be exhaustive.
