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
Vessel Type
Wooden steam tug, powered by a single screw propeller and steam engine.
Description
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
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
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
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
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
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
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.
Description
The A. J. Bemis was a compact wooden-hulled steam tug, powered by a single screw propeller and steam engine. Built in 1859 at Buffalo, New York by David Bell, it served primarily in towing and utility roles on the Great Lakes. Like many early tugs, it 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.Final Dispositions
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.Located By & Date Found
The vessel has not been confirmed by modern underwater survey. Its known location derives from loss reports and historical recollections.Notmars & Advisories
None noted. No present-day Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) reference this wreck site. The wreck poses no known hazard.Dive Information
Access: Boat Entry Point: Alpena harbor or local launch sites Conditions: Variable visibility; possible shallow debris field; thermocline typical in late summer Depth Range: Unknown, estimated <60 ft (18 m) Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard – Sector Sault Sainte Marie; Alpena County EMS Permits: Not required for reconnaissance diving in open water; contact Michigan SHPO for artifact recovery Dive Support: Available in Alpena region (local shops, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)Crew & Casualty Memorials
No known fatalities. Crew list unknown. Master at time of loss may have been Capt. Harrington. No Find A Grave or obituary records currently linked.Documented Statements & Extracts
“Caught fire under her 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, in Sep of 1872.” — Great Lakes Shipwreck Files
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official Number: 19684 (secondary source) Listed as built 1859, abandoned 1879. Does not appear in 1869 Merchant Vessels of the U.S. registry. Enrollment files possibly housed at NARA under RG 41 or RG 26.Site Documentation & Imaging
No sonar, diver, or ROV documentation exists. Not listed in NOAA or Michigan DNR shipwreck databases. Site remains undocumented.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: A. J. Bemis
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave