Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: D.H. Keys
- Type: Steamboat Barge
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Likely in Cleveland
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden steamboat barge, typically unpowered and towed by tugboats.
Description
Description
The D.H. Keys was a wooden steamboat barge built in 1873, likely in Cleveland. It was designed to be towed by tugboats, with the tug Mystic being one of its primary handlers.
History
History
The D.H. Keys was part of the Great Lakes fleet and operated primarily as a barge. On November 10, 1901, while being towed by the tug Mystic, it suffered a mechanical failure in heavy weather and was abandoned. No casualties were reported, and the vessel was lost to the storm.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- November 10, 1901: Mechanical failure while in tow by the tug Mystic, leading to abandonment during a storm.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The D.H. Keys was abandoned in Lake Michigan due to mechanical failure and adverse weather conditions. It was reported as a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and no specific coordinates or location details are available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-h-keys-1873″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The D.H. Keys was built in 1873 and abandoned on November 10, 1901, after suffering a breakdown while being towed. The incident resulted in no casualties, but the vessel was lost to the storm.
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.
Wooden Steamboat Barge (Built 1873 – Final incident 1901)
General Overview
- Built: 1873 (likely in Cleveland, based on barge fleet practices of the time)
- Type: Steamboat barge (unpowered), normally towed by tug
- Tow Vessel: Typically handled by MYSTIC, among other tugs in the Great Lakes fleet
Timeline & Incident (November 10, 1901)
- In Tow: Held under tow by the tug Mystic on open Lake Michigan
- Mechanical Failure: D. H. KEYS suffered mechanical breakdown in heavy weather (“broke down in the middle of the lake”)
- Abandonment: The towing craft (Mystic) had to abandon salvaging her in the storm
- Condition at Loss: No known structural breakage or explosion; no fire reported
- Casualties: No losses recorded — all hands survived [Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, summary catch]
Context & Limitations
- The incident aligns with common hazards of early 20th-century barge towing: mechanical failure, storm conditions, and abandonment when rescue was no longer viable.
- No coordinates, cargo type, or final location are listed in available boat logs or claim registers.
- The tug Mystic reference likely refers to a regional tug in the Great Lakes fleet, not directly connected to the Boston-area Mystic Steamship Co. (manitouislandsarchives.org, maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, tugboatinformation.com)
Recommended Archival Actions
To build out a complete wreck dossier, consulting these sources is essential:
- Newspaper Archives (Nov 1901):
- Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel, or Detroit Free Press—look for marine radio/telegraph distress notices, towline break reports, or “missing barge” articles.
- Harbor & Tug Logs:
- Seek out Mystic‘s captain’s logs, if available in company archives, and U.S. Lighthouse/Towing District incident reports.
- Enrollment Records (NARA Region 5):
- Barge enrollment descriptions can reveal dimensions, owner name, master’s name, tug assignment, and any official abandonment filing.
- Insurance and Underwriter Records:
- Loss reports submitted after barge abandonment often included storm conditions, presumed location, and valuation.
Summary
- Built: 1873
- Incident Date: November 10, 1901 (storm conditions)
- Cause: Breakdown under tow; abandoned mid-lake
- Tow Vessel: Mystic tug
- Casualties: None reported
- Outcome: Total loss by abandonment