Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.T. Kelly
- Type: Wooden steam tug
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: Wallaceburg, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 56 ft (17.1 m); Beam 14 ft (4.3 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 39 tons (approx. 35.4 metric tonnes); Net Tonnage: 26 tons (approx. 23.6 metric tonnes)
- Location: Harsen’s Island, St. Clair River, Michigan
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Captain Kelly
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steam tug
Description
The A.T. Kelly was a wooden steam-powered tugboat constructed in 1884 in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Designed for towing and general utility work along the St. Clair River, the vessel was owned and likely operated by Captain Kelly himself. At 56 feet in length, she was typical of the small, maneuverable tugs that served the busy waterways connecting Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair.
History
On the evening of November 14, 1885, while moored at a dock on Harsen’s Island in the St. Clair River, the A.T. Kelly caught fire. The blaze quickly consumed the vessel. To prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures, the burning tug was set adrift. It drifted approximately three-quarters of a mile downstream before coming to rest on the Canadian shore, where it burned to the waterline. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Fire while moored at dock on November 14, 1885.
Final Disposition
The A.T. Kelly was declared a total loss due to the fire. The hull was later recovered and underwent a complete rebuild, emerging as the tug T. Keddle. This practice of reconstructing vessels from salvaged hulls was common in the Great Lakes region during that era.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no available information indicating that the original wreck of the A.T. Kelly has been located or identified in modern times. There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the original wreck site of the A.T. Kelly.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-t-kelly-1884″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the A.T. Kelly underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden steam-powered vessels to onboard fires, a common hazard in the late 19th century. The vessel’s subsequent reconstruction as the T. Keddle exemplifies the resourcefulness of maritime operations during that period.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.T. Kelly
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: Not available
- Date Built and Launched: 1884
- Measurements:
- Length: 56 feet (17.1 metres)
- Beam: 14 feet (4.3 metres)
- Depth: 7 feet (2.1 metres)
- Gross Tonnage: 39 tons (approx. 35.4 metric tonnes)
- Net Tonnage: 26 tons (approx. 23.6 metric tonnes)
- Date Lost: November 14, 1885
- Cause: Fire while moored at dock
- Cargo at Time of Loss: None
- Place of Loss: Harsen’s Island, St. Clair River, Michigan(slc.ca.gov, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type
Wooden steam tug
Description
The A.T. Kelly was a wooden steam-powered tugboat constructed in 1884 in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Designed for towing and general utility work along the St. Clair River, the vessel was owned and likely operated by Captain Kelly himself. At 56 feet in length, she was typical of the small, maneuverable tugs that served the busy waterways connecting Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair.
History
On the evening of November 14, 1885, while moored at a dock on Harsen’s Island in the St. Clair River, the A.T. Kelly caught fire. The blaze quickly consumed the vessel. To prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures, the burning tug was set adrift. It drifted approximately three-quarters of a mile downstream before coming to rest on the Canadian shore, where it burned to the waterline. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the incident.(MAGIC MASTS AND STURDY SHIPS, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
The A.T. Kelly was declared a total loss due to the fire. The hull was later recovered and underwent a complete rebuild, emerging as the tug T. Keddle. This practice of reconstructing vessels from salvaged hulls was common in the Great Lakes region during that era.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Located By & Date Found
There is no available information indicating that the original wreck of the A.T. Kelly has been located or identified in modern times.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the original wreck site of the A.T. Kelly.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the A.T. Kelly underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden steam-powered vessels to onboard fires, a common hazard in the late 19th century. The vessel’s subsequent reconstruction as the T. Keddle exemplifies the resourcefulness of maritime operations during that period.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: A.T. Kelly, St. Clair River shipwreck, wooden steam tug, 1885 fire, Harsen’s Island
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Steam Tugs
- Glossary Terms:
- Steam Tug: A small, steam-powered vessel used primarily for towing and maneuvering larger ships.
- Total Loss: A term used in maritime insurance indicating that the cost of repairing a vessel exceeds its value, leading to it being declared a complete loss.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)