Alfred W. (1905)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Alfred W.
• Type: Tugboat (Towboat)
• Year Built: 1905
• Builder: Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length: 66.16 ft (20.17 m); Beam: 17 ft (5.18 m); Depth of hold: 10.5 ft (3.2 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 56 tons; Net Tonnage: 19 tons
• Location: Near Pie Island, Lake Superior
• Coordinates: 46.769453, -92.097465
• Original Owners: Duluth-Superior Dredging Co.

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Alfred W. was a wooden-hulled tugboat built to assist with towing and dredging operations on the Great Lakes. Tugboats like the Alfred W. were essential for guiding larger vessels, transporting barges, and aiding in construction and dredging projects. This small but powerful vessel was representative of the early 20th-century maritime industry on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Alfred W. was constructed in 1905 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and immediately entered service for the Duluth-Superior Dredging Co. The tug played a critical role in assisting dredging and towing operations, primarily in the Lake Superior region.

History

The Alfred W. was constructed in 1905 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and immediately entered service for the Duluth-Superior Dredging Co. The tug played a critical role in assisting dredging and towing operations, primarily in the Lake Superior region.

Notable Events:

• June 27, 1906: While navigating near Pie Island in Lake Superior, the Alfred W. struck a rock, causing the vessel to founder and sink. The nine crew members managed to escape using a small boat and swam to safety.
• Rescue: The steamer Kaministiqua arrived at the scene and successfully rescued the crew.
• Recovery: Despite the severe damage, the Alfred W. is believed to have been salvaged and returned to service, as it appears in the 1911 Merchant Vessel List.
• The Alfred W. continued its service on the Great Lakes for many years following its recovery. However, by August 1933, the vessel was abandoned, marking the end of its operational life.

Significant Incidents

• The Alfred W. struck a rock near Pie Island on June 27, 1906, leading to its sinking.
• The crew was rescued by the steamer Kaministiqua.
• It was salvaged and returned to service after the incident.
• Abandoned in August 1933.

Final Disposition

The Alfred W. was abandoned in 1933 after decades of service. The exact details of its final disposition remain unclear, but it is no longer an active vessel and is presumed to have deteriorated or been scrapped after abandonment.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Given the vessel’s abandonment in 1933, it is likely that no substantial remains of the Alfred W. exist today. If any part of the vessel remains, it would likely be in a deteriorated state, scattered, or incorporated into a scrapyard.

Resources & Links

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The Alfred W. was a quintessential example of the hardworking tugboats that supported the infrastructure and commerce of the Great Lakes. Despite its sinking in 1906 and subsequent recovery, the tug continued its service until its abandonment in 1933. Its story reflects both the resilience and eventual obsolescence of wooden vessels in an era of rapid industrial and technological change.