Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: D. J. Foley
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Approximately 15 miles off Charlotte, New York
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The D. J. Foley was a steam-powered tugboat, a vessel type commonly used in the Great Lakes during the late 19th century for towing and assisting larger ships, as well as for general harbor duties.
Description
Specific details regarding the vessel’s dimensions and construction are not provided in the available sources. However, as a steam-powered tug built in 1872, the D. J. Foley would have featured a sturdy hull and powerful engines designed for towing operations across the Great Lakes.
History
On July 1, 1890, the D. J. Foley was en route from Charlotte, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, towing the schooner American Union and carrying a cargo of 748 tons of coal. Approximately 15 miles out from Charlotte, the tug caught fire. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the vessel was consumed by the flames and ultimately sank. One crew member lost his life in the incident. The schooner American Union was successfully cast off and avoided damage.
Significant Incidents
- July 1, 1890: The D. J. Foley caught fire while towing the schooner American Union, leading to its sinking approximately 15 miles off Charlotte, New York.
- One crew member lost his life in the incident.
Final Disposition
Following the fire and sinking in 1890, the D. J. Foley was deemed a total loss. There is no information available regarding salvage operations or the recovery of cargo.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Specific details about the discovery or exploration of the D. J. Foley’s wreck site are not provided in the available sources.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-j-foley-1872″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the D. J. Foley in 1890 underscores the hazards faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the risks associated with onboard fires. The incident highlights the importance of safety measures and the challenges of emergency response during that era. The D. J. Foley’s story contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.
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: D. J. Foley
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: Not documented
- Date Built: 1872
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: July 1, 1890
- Place of Loss: Approximately 15 miles off Charlotte, New York
- Lake: Ontario
- Type of Loss: Fire
- Cargo: 748 tons of coal; towing the schooner American Union
- Loss of Life: 1
- Home Port: Not specified(NPS History, USCG History, Hoosier State Chronicles)
Vessel Type(Facebook)
The D. J. Foley was a steam-powered tugboat, a vessel type commonly used in the Great Lakes during the late 19th century for towing and assisting larger ships, as well as for general harbor duties.
Description(Library of Congress Tile)
Specific details regarding the vessel’s dimensions and construction are not provided in the available sources. However, as a steam-powered tug built in 1872, the D. J. Foley would have featured a sturdy hull and powerful engines designed for towing operations across the Great Lakes.
History(NPS History)
On July 1, 1890, the D. J. Foley was en route from Charlotte, New York, to Chicago, Illinois, towing the schooner American Union and carrying a cargo of 748 tons of coal. Approximately 15 miles out from Charlotte, the tug caught fire. Despite efforts to control the blaze, the vessel was consumed by the flames and ultimately sank. One crew member lost his life in the incident. The schooner American Union was successfully cast off and avoided damage.
Final Disposition
Following the fire and sinking in 1890, the D. J. Foley was deemed a total loss. There is no information available regarding salvage operations or the recovery of cargo.
Located By & Date Found
Specific details about the discovery or exploration of the D. J. Foley’s wreck site are not provided in the available sources.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific Notices to Mariners (Notmars) or advisories related to the wreck of the D. J. Foley have been identified. However, mariners operating in Lake Ontario should be aware of submerged hazards and consult current nautical charts.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – WordPress.com
- History of the Great Lakes – Wisconsin Genealogy Resources
Conclusion
The loss of the D. J. Foley in 1890 underscores the hazards faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly the risks associated with onboard fires. The incident highlights the importance of safety measures and the challenges of emergency response during that era. The D. J. Foley’s story contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.
d-j-foley-1872 1890-07-01 12:08:00