A. J. Bemis (Philo S. Bemis) US 19684

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Name: A. J. Bemis
Type: Wooden steam tug, propeller
Year Built: 1859
Builder: David Bell, Buffalo, New York
Dimensions: Approx. 50 ft x 12 ft x 6 ft (15.2 x 3.7 x 1.8 m)
Registered Tonnage: 29 gross / 16 net tons
Location: Off Alpena, Michigan
Coordinates: Approx. ¾ mile offshore (precise coordinates unknown)
Official Number: 19684
Original Owners: Capt. E. M. Harrington (final registered owner)
Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden steam tug, powered by a single screw propeller and steam engine.

Description

The A. J. Bemis was a compact wooden-hulled steam tug, built in 1859 at Buffalo, New York by David Bell. It served primarily in towing and utility roles on the Great Lakes. The tug was susceptible to machinery fires due to its internal boiler layout. Registry records indicate it was 50 ft long and displaced 29 gross tons.

History

Launched as the Philo S. Bemis, the tug underwent several ownership changes before being registered to Capt. E.M. Harrington and relocated to Alpena, Michigan. It operated in Lake Huron and northern Lake Michigan ports, assisting larger vessels and towing rafts or scows. The tug does not appear in the 1869 U.S. Merchant Vessel Register, suggesting intermittent or local registration.

On 15 September 1872, while working off Alpena, a fire broke out under the boiler. The flames quickly spread, overwhelming the crew’s efforts to control it. The vessel attempted to reach shore but foundered and burned roughly three-quarters of a mile from land near Plough’s Fishery, six miles from Alpena. The entire crew survived, and no cargo was aboard at the time.

Significant Incidents

15 September 1872: Caught fire under the boiler and burned at her dock. Repairs were begun but abandoned before completion.
Burned nearly to a total loss near Plough’s Fishery, about 6 miles from Alpena.

Final Disposition

Though salvage was attempted, repairs were never completed, and the vessel was ultimately declared a constructive total loss. By 1879, official enrollment records marked the A. J. Bemis as abandoned. No confirmed archaeological remains have been documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The vessel has not been confirmed by modern underwater survey. Its known location derives from loss reports and historical recollections. Access is by boat, with entry points available at Alpena harbor or local launch sites. Conditions may vary, with possible shallow debris fields and typical thermocline in late summer.

Resources & Links

Closing Summary

The A. J. Bemis remains a significant historical wreck, representing the early era of steam-powered vessels on the Great Lakes. While its exact location is not documented, it serves as a reminder of the maritime history and challenges faced by early tugboats.