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.

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Avis
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 212467
• Date Built and Launched: 1905
• Builder: J. Gaulder, Davenport, Iowa
• Vessel Type: Gas Screw Packet (possibly a Tug, former Fish Tug)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:
• Length: 36 ft (11 m)
• Beam: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Depth: 4 ft (1.2 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 14 tons
• Net Tonnage: 13 tons
• Date Lost: January 1, 1939
• Place of Loss: Harbor at South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Sank (no specific cause detailed)
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Type & Description

The Avis was a gas screw packet vessel, originally built as a fish tug in 1905 by J. Gaulder in Davenport, Iowa. At just 36 feet in length, the Avis was a small, versatile vessel, ideal for nearshore work such as fishing, towing, or light freight transport. Over time, she appears to have transitioned from a fishing vessel to a packet or tugboat, likely serving the Great Lakes’ coastal communities.

Powered by a gasoline engine (common in small vessels of this period), the Avis would have been used for short-haul trips, perhaps transporting people, small cargo, or providing towing services in harbors and along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

History

By 1934, the Avis was owned by C.M. Anderson and was operating out of Chicago, reflecting her shift from fishing to possibly a tug or packet vessel role. Vessels like the Avis were crucial for small-scale transport and support operations in ports, handling light freight, passengers, or assisting larger ships in docking and undocking.

Given her size and build, the Avis likely served local routes around Lake Michigan, potentially including harbor work, ferrying supplies to island communities, or even assisting with fishing operations.

Final Incident & Loss

On January 1, 1939, the Avis sank in the harbor at South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan.

Details of the Incident:

• The exact cause of sinking is not detailed in available sources.
• Common causes for similar vessels sinking in harbors include ice damage during the winter months, hull deterioration, or engine failure leading to water ingress.
• There is no record of loss of life, but due to the vessel being in harbour at the time, it’s likely that the crew either escaped safely or the vessel was unmanned when she went down.

Final Disposition

There is no evidence of recovery or salvage for the Avis. Given her small size and the likely minimal value of recovery, the vessel was probably abandoned in situ. The harbor at South Manitou Island contains several other wrecks and remnants of vessels, and the remains of the Avis may still lie there, buried or submerged.

Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed discovery of the Avis‘s wreck. However, the South Manitou Island harbor is a popular location for diving and maritime archaeology, and it’s possible that her remains have been documented as part of larger surveys of the area’s shipwrecks.

NOTMARs & Advisories

South Manitou Island, located within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is known for its treacherous waters and shifting sands. Mariners should remain aware of underwater hazards, including submerged wrecks and shallow areas near the island’s harbor.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – NPS
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

Conclusion

The Avis represents one of the small, versatile vessels that served the Great Lakes during the early 20th century. Originally built as a fish tug in 1905, the vessel transitioned to a packet or tugboat role, reflecting the adaptability required of small boats operating in Great Lakes communities. Her sinking in 1939 in South Manitou Island’s harbor marks the end of a vessel that, while modest in size, was part of the lifeblood of maritime commerce and support operations in the region. Though her story is less dramatic than larger freighters or passenger liners, the Avis is a reminder of the importance of small working vessels in maintaining the infrastructure of Great Lakes shipping.

Keywords:

Avis, South Manitou Island Shipwreck, Lake Michigan Gas Screw Vessel, Small Tugboat Sinking, Great Lakes Maritime History

Categories:

Great Lakes Tugboats, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Small Craft Maritime Disasters

Glossary Terms:

Gas Screw Packet, Fish Tug Conversion, Harbor Sinking, Small Vessel Shipwreck, Maritime Support Vessels

avis-us-212467 1939-01-01 07:56:00