Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Deer
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder: F. W. Kirby, Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: 47 gross tons
- Location: Lake Huron — off Au Gres / Saginaw Bay
- Official Number: Unlisted
- Original Owners: Oscar Hurkett, Au Sable, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A compact steam tug purpose-built for harbor and nearshore operations, typical of late 19th–century Great Lakes service.
Description
Constructed in 1892, the Deer was a 47-ton wooden propeller tug—ideal for towing barges and assisting boats in regional ports of lower Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay.
History
On 8 June 1908 (some sources as 9 June), the Deer caught fire while underway in Saginaw Bay waters. Her hull was ultimately destroyed, and her official documentation was surrendered at Port Huron on 15 June 1908 (us-data.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com). No lives were lost.
Contemporaneous entries suggest there may have been a misreport linking her to a River Trent fire in 1895, but the 1908 Lake Huron incident is confirmed (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Significant Incidents
- Fire incident on 8 June 1908, leading to total loss of the vessel.
- Official documentation surrendered on 15 June 1908.
Final Disposition
The fire resulted in a total loss. No effort to salvage was undertaken. The charred vessel was likely stripped of usable gear before being abandoned or dismantled on-site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No dive records or modern discovery are noted. The wreckage likely sank in relatively shallow waters near Au Gres or remained adrift until it deteriorated.
No navigation hazards are currently charted at the site. However, fire losses of this kind nearshore may scatter debris zones—boaters in the area should remain cautious.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”deer-1892″ title=”References & Links”]
The Deer‘s loss by fire in June 1908 off Saginaw Bay exemplifies the vulnerability of smaller wooden steam tugs to sudden onboard fires. Built in Grand Haven and operated by Oscar Hurkett, the vessel served until a routine day on the bay ended its service. With no fatalities and complete loss, she reflects both a maritime routine and its fragile nature.
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: Deer
- Official Number: Unlisted
- Built: 1892 by F. W. Kirby, Grand Haven, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug (47 gross tons)
- Original Owner: Oscar Hurkett, Au Sable, Michigan
- Date Lost: 9 June 1908
- Location: Lake Huron — off Au Gres / Saginaw Bay
- Final Depth: Not specified
- Cargo at Loss: None reported
- Crew at Loss: None — all survived
Vessel Type
A compact steam tug purpose-built for harbor and nearshore operations, typical of late 19th–century Great Lakes service.
Description
Constructed in 1892, the Deer was a 47-ton wooden propeller tug—ideal for towing barges and assisting boats in regional ports of lower Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay.
History & Loss
On 8 June 1908 (some sources as 9 June), the Deer caught fire while underway in Saginaw Bay waters. Her hull was ultimately destroyed, and her official documentation was surrendered at Port Huron on 15 June 1908 (us-data.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com). No lives were lost.
contemporaneous entries suggest there may have been a misreport linking her to a River Trent fire in 1895, but the 1908 Lake Huron incident is confirmed (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Final Disposition
The fire resulted in a total loss. No effort to salvage was undertaken. The charred vessel was likely stripped of usable gear before being abandoned or dismantled on-site.
Located By & Date Found
No dive records or modern discovery are noted. The wreckage likely sank in relatively shallow waters near Au Gres or remained adrift until it deteriorated.
Notations & Advisories
No navigation hazards are currently charted at the site. However, fire losses of this kind nearshore may scatter debris zones—boaters in the area should remain cautious.
Conclusion
The Deer‘s loss by fire in June 1908 off Saginaw Bay exemplifies the vulnerability of smaller wooden steam tugs to sudden onboard fires. Built in Grand Haven and operated by Oscar Hurkett, the vessel served until a routine day on the bay ended its service. With no fatalities and complete loss, she reflects both a maritime routine and its fragile nature.
Suggested Keywords: steam tug, Lake Huron fire loss, Saginaw Bay wreck, 1908 tug disaster
Suggested Categories:
- Great Lakes shipwrecks
- Lake Huron tug losses
- steamer fires