Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: C. W. Wells
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1883
- Builder: Lester, Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 66 ft (20.12 m); Beam: 14 ft (4.27 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.13 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 38 tons
- Location: Near Bar Point, Lake Erie (close to Amherstburg, Ontario)
- Official Number: 126244
- Original Owners: Capt. Horne (Horne Bros.), Detroit, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The C. W. Wells was a wooden propeller tug, a small but powerful vessel designed primarily for towing barges, ships, and other vessels in harbours, rivers, and nearshore waters. Tugboats like the C. W. Wells were critical to maritime operations on the Great Lakes, assisting with docking maneuvers, salvaging vessels in distress, and towing bulk carriers through congested or difficult waters.
Description
Built in 1883 by a shipbuilder named Lester in Marine City, Michigan, the C. W. Wells was a 66-foot-long wooden tug with a narrow 14-foot beam and a 7-foot draft, making her well-suited for both harbor work and operations in shallow coastal waters like those near Bar Point in Lake Erie. Her wooden hull, common for tugboats of the era, housed a steam-powered propeller engine that provided the force needed to tow much larger vessels. Despite her relatively small size, she played an important role in regional maritime commerce, particularly around Detroit, where the busy waterways of the Detroit River and Lake Erie required constant tugboat support.
The tug had been rebuilt during the winter of 1896–97, suggesting that she had undergone significant repairs or modifications just before her final season of service.
History
Owned by Capt. Horne of the Horne Brothers (Detroit-based operators), the C. W. Wells was part of a fleet of working vessels that provided vital services along the Detroit River, Lake Erie, and surrounding waterways. Tugs like the C. W. Wells were essential for:
- Towing large vessels through narrow or congested areas
- Assisting with docking and undocking operations
- Responding to maritime emergencies, such as shipwrecks, fires, or groundings
In addition to her towing duties, the C. W. Wells had experienced prior incidents in the 1897 season, including: A small fire earlier in the year and a collision with another vessel, though details of this incident are limited. These events may have weakened the vessel structurally or mechanically, potentially contributing to the catastrophic fire that ended her service.
Significant Incidents
Significant incidents include:
- A small fire earlier in the 1897 season
- A collision with another vessel, details limited
Final Disposition
The burned-out hull of the C. W. Wells was recovered and towed to Amherstburg, but it is unclear whether any part of the vessel was salvaged beyond basic equipment. Given the extensive fire damage, it’s likely that the hull was either scrapped locally or left to deteriorate near the shore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – There are no confirmed records of the wreck being located or documented underwater. However, given that the hulk was towed ashore, it’s possible that remnants may still exist in the Amherstburg area or were dismantled after the incident.
Resources & Links
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
The C. W. Wells served as a hardworking tugboat during a time when vessels like hers were essential to the commerce and industry of the Great Lakes. Despite undergoing a rebuild in 1896–97, her service was cut short by a catastrophic fire in 1897, a common hazard for wooden, steam-powered vessels of the era. The crew’s survival—despite being abandoned without assistance—adds a dramatic note to her final voyage, while the vessel’s loss highlights the risks faced by even the most rugged workboats in maritime history.