Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

C.M. Gifford (1889)

Explore the wreck of the C.M. Gifford, a wooden tug that capsized in Lake Michigan after a collision in 1889, resulting in the loss of her engineer.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: C.M. Gifford
  • Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Year Built: Pre-1889 (exact year unknown)
  • Builder: Undocumented
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 9 m / 30 ft
  • Location: A few miles off Waugoschance Point Lighthouse, Lake Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The C.M. GIFFORD was a wooden-hulled screw tug, a common type of workboat on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Tugs like the GIFFORD performed essential duties towing sailing vessels, moving barges, and assisting in harbours, often operating under harsh and unpredictable lake conditions.

Description

Although specific build records for the GIFFORD are scarce, she was clearly active by the late 1880s, performing routine towing work on Lake Michigan. On 25 September 1889, while operating a tow several miles off Waugoschance Point Lighthouse, the tug was struck by one of the schooners it was towing. The collision capsized the GIFFORD, sending her to the bottom in 30 feet of water. Tragically, her engineer perished in the sinking.

History

The tug was lost as a result of the collision and capsizing. No record of salvage or recovery is noted.

Significant Incidents

  • 25 September 1889: The C.M. Gifford was struck by a schooner under tow, capsized, and sank in Lake Michigan.
  • Casualties: The engineer drowned in the incident.

Final Disposition

No modern dive or sonar survey is known to have positively identified the wreck site. The tug is presumed to be in relatively shallow water, approximately 30 feet (9 metres), though precise location details are not confirmed.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Presumed to be in relatively shallow water, approximately 30 feet (9 metres), though precise location details are not confirmed.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”c-m-gifford-1889″ title=”References & Links”]

The sinking of the C.M. GIFFORD illustrates the dangers faced by Great Lakes tugs in their routine towing operations, particularly in congested shipping lanes and variable weather. Its loss was a reminder of how quickly working vessels could be overwhelmed by mishaps at sea.

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: C.M. GIFFORD
  • Year Built: Pre-1889 (exact year unknown)
  • Built at: Undocumented
  • Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Propulsion: Screw
  • Propellers: 1
  • Final Location: A few miles off Waugoschance Point Lighthouse, Lake Michigan
  • Date Lost: 25 September 1889
  • Depth: Approximately 30 feet (9 metres)
  • How Lost: Struck by a schooner under tow, capsized, and sank
  • Casualties: Engineer drowned

Vessel Type Description

The C.M. GIFFORD was a wooden-hulled screw tug, a common type of workboat on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Tugs like the GIFFORD performed essential duties towing sailing vessels, moving barges, and assisting in harbours, often operating under harsh and unpredictable lake conditions.

History

Although specific build records for the GIFFORD are scarce, she was clearly active by the late 1880s, performing routine towing work on Lake Michigan. On 25 September 1889, while operating a tow several miles off Waugoschance Point Lighthouse, the tug was struck by one of the schooners it was towing. The collision capsized the GIFFORD, sending her to the bottom in 30 feet of water. Tragically, her engineer perished in the sinking.

Final Disposition
The tug was lost as a result of the collision and capsizing. No record of salvage or recovery is noted.

NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no current Notices to Mariners associated with the GIFFORD wreck.

Located By & Date
No modern dive or sonar survey is known to have positively identified the wreck site.

Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed to be in relatively shallow water, approximately 30 feet (9 metres), though precise location details are not confirmed.

Resources & Links

Conclusion
The sinking of the C.M. GIFFORD illustrates the dangers faced by Great Lakes tugs in their routine towing operations, particularly in congested shipping lanes and variable weather. Its loss was a reminder of how quickly working vessels could be overwhelmed by mishaps at sea.

Keywords: tug, towboat, Lake Michigan, collision, capsized, Great Lakes shipwreck, 19th century

c-m-gifford-1889 1889-09-25 09:44:00