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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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