Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ALFRED MOSHER
- Type: Wooden steam screw tug
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Miller Bros., Chicago, Illinois
- Dimensions: 71 ft (21.6 m); Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 69 tons
- Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 1395
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steam screw tug
Description
The ALFRED MOSHER was a wooden-hulled steam screw tug built in 1863 by Miller Bros. in Chicago, Illinois. Measuring 71 feet (21.6 metres) in length, with a beam of 15 feet (4.6 metres) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 metres), she had a gross tonnage of 69 tons. Designed for rafting operations, the tug was employed in towing log rafts and other vessels across the Great Lakes.
History
On May 15, 1897, the ALFRED MOSHER arrived at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to allow her crew to visit their families. The vessel was left moored at the “mill slip” under the watch of the fireman. During the night, an undetected fire broke out aboard the tug. The cause of the fire remains unknown. By 3:00 a.m. on May 16, the fire was discovered, but the vessel was already engulfed in flames. The tug NELSON towed the burning ALFRED MOSHER away from the pier to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the vessel filled with water and sank, resulting in a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- May 16, 1897: The ALFRED MOSHER sank in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, after a fire broke out while the vessel was moored.
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss due to fire, the ALFRED MOSHER sank in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. There are no records indicating salvage operations or recovery efforts following the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – The wreck has not been located or confirmed in modern times.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”alfred-mosher-1863-1897″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the ALFRED MOSHER underscores the hazards faced by wooden steam tugs operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the risk of onboard fires. The incident highlights the challenges of maritime operations and the importance of vigilant monitoring, even when vessels are docked.
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.
ALFRED MOSHER (1863–1897)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ALFRED MOSHER
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 1395
- Date Built and Launched: 1863
- Builder: Miller Bros., Chicago, Illinois
- Measurements:
- Length: 71 feet (21.6 metres)
- Beam: 15 feet (4.6 metres)
- Depth: 7 feet (2.1 metres)
- Gross Tonnage: 69 tons
- Date Lost: May 16, 1897
- Cause: Fire
- Cargo at Time of Loss: None
- Place of Loss: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Loss of Life: None(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Vessel Type
Wooden steam screw tug(Wikipedia)
Description
The ALFRED MOSHER was a wooden-hulled steam screw tug built in 1863 by Miller Bros. in Chicago, Illinois. Measuring 71 feet (21.6 metres) in length, with a beam of 15 feet (4.6 metres) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 metres), she had a gross tonnage of 69 tons. Designed for rafting operations, the tug was employed in towing log rafts and other vessels across the Great Lakes.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
On May 15, 1897, the ALFRED MOSHER arrived at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to allow her crew to visit their families. The vessel was left moored at the “mill slip” under the watch of the fireman. During the night, an undetected fire broke out aboard the tug. The cause of the fire remains unknown. By 3:00 a.m. on May 16, the fire was discovered, but the vessel was already engulfed in flames. The tug NELSON towed the burning ALFRED MOSHER away from the pier to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames, the vessel filled with water and sank, resulting in a total loss. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Wikipedia)
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss due to fire, the ALFRED MOSHER sank in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. There are no records indicating salvage operations or recovery efforts following the incident.(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Located By & Date Found
Nil – The wreck has not been located or confirmed in modern times.
Notmars & Advisories
Nil – No current navigational warnings or official markers exist for the wreck site.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the ALFRED MOSHER underscores the hazards faced by wooden steam tugs operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the risk of onboard fires. The incident highlights the challenges of maritime operations and the importance of vigilant monitoring, even when vessels are docked.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: ALFRED MOSHER, Sturgeon Bay shipwreck, 1897 fire, wooden steam tug, Lake Michigan maritime history
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Steam Tugs
- Glossary Terms:
- Steam Screw Tug: A steam-powered vessel propelled by a screw propeller, commonly used for towing operations.
- Mill Slip: A docking area adjacent to a mill, used for loading and unloading materials.
- Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is considered completely destroyed or beyond repair.
Note: If you require information on other shipwrecks or maritime history topics, feel free to ask.
alfred-mosher-1863-1897 1897-05-16 13:27:00