Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Dan Kunz
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1888
- Builder: Savord & Ratte
- Dimensions: 102 ft (31 m) × 24 ft; Depth of hold: 6 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 99 GRT / 59 NRT
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled steam tug, screw-propelled.
Description
The Dan Kunz was a wooden-hulled steam tug built in 1888. It measured 102 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and had a depth of hold of 6 feet. The vessel was powered by a high-pressure single-cylinder engine that generated 250 horsepower.
History
Constructed in Ashtabula, Ohio, by Savord & Ratte, the Dan Kunz operated scheduled coal routes between Cleveland and Chatham starting in 1890. In April 1894, the tug sank in Sandusky due to unspecified causes but was later raised and returned to service. By 1899, it was owned by W. Faragher.
Significant Incidents
- 1894 (April 14): Sank in Sandusky through unspecified cause; later raised and returned to service.
- June 6, 1909: During departure, the Dan Kunz pounded bottom leaving the dock at Kirtland Street, Cleveland, causing a hull breach that led to it sinking at her moorings. No casualties were reported.
Final Disposition
The Dan Kunz was declared a total loss following the incident on June 6, 1909, and was removed from service shortly thereafter.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, and accessibility details are not available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dan-kunz-1888″ title=”References & Links”]
The Dan Kunz remains a significant historical vessel, representing the steam tug operations of the late 19th century on the Great Lakes.
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.
(Steam Tug, 1888–1909)
Construction & Power
- Built: 1888, Ashtabula, OH by Savord & Ratte
- Type: Wooden-hulled steam tug (screw-propelled)
- Dimensions: 102 ft (L) × 24 ft (B) × 6 ft (D), 99 GRT / 59 NRT
- Engine: High-pressure single-cylinder (14″ × 14″), generating 250 hp @ 225 rpm; built in Sandusky, OH, 1888
Service Highlights
- 1890: Operated scheduled coal routes between Cleveland and Chatham
- 1894 (Apr 14): Sank in Sandusky through unspecified cause; later raised and returned to service
- 1899: Owned by W. Faragher
Final Loss — June 6, 1909
- During departure, the DAN KUNZ “pounded bottom” leaving the dock at Kirtland Street, Cleveland
- The hull was holed, causing a leak: the vessel sank at her moorings
- Casualties: None reported
- Outcome: Declared a total loss and removed from service shortly after (internationalmaritimelibrary.org, en.wikipedia.org)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1888, Ashtabula, OH |
| Dimensions / Power | 102′ × 24′ × 6′; 250 hp high-pressure engine |
| Service | Tug operations; sank in Sandusky (1894), raised |
| Final Incident | Sailed June 6, 1909; hull pounded, sank at dock |
| Casualties | None |
| Disposition | Total loss; scrapped or broken up |
Next Steps
- Hull & Enrollment Records: Check U.S. Enrollment at NARA Region 5 for owner, master, registration updates, and official abandonment
- Newspaper Accounts (June 1909): Check Cleveland Plain Dealer and Toledo Blade for incident reports, timelines, and insurance details
- Salvage Records: Harbor master and salvaging logs may indicate hull recovery efforts or disposal