Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

E.H. Miller (1862)

Explore the wreck of the E.H. Miller, a wooden harbor tug that suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion in 1875, leading to significant safety reforms.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: E.H. Miller
  • Type: Wooden harbor tug
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder: Shupe, Milan, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 60 ft (18.3 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 13 tons
  • Location: Alpena, Michigan
  • Official Number: Not documented

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

A small harbor tug servicing Alpena, Michigan—engaged in towing ships and operating within tight port environments. Typical of mid-19th-century harbor workhorses.

Description

The E.H. Miller, a wooden harbor tug, was built in 1862 and primarily served the port of Alpena, Michigan. It was designed for towing ships and maneuvering in confined port areas, characteristic of the small tugs of its time.

History

On 13 October 1875, while at the dock in Alpena, E.H. Miller suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion—shredding her hull and causing her to sink alongside the dock. The explosion claimed the lives of two crew members: Captain Edwin H. Miller (the vessel’s namesake) and the cook.

Significant Incidents

  • 13 October 1875: Catastrophic boiler explosion while docked in Alpena, resulting in the sinking of the vessel and the deaths of two crew members.

Final Disposition

Initially regarded as a total loss, the tug was later refloated and repaired according to port registry. She returned to service post-rebuild.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Nil return. No archaeological or wreckage surveys have been documented; the vessel was fully salvaged and restored to working order.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-h-miller-1862″ title=”References & Links”]

The E.H. Miller, a 60-ft wooden harbor tug built in 1862, suffered a fatal boiler explosion on 13 October 1875 in Alpena. The blast killed two crew, sank the vessel, but subsequent salvage and repair returned her to service. The incident underlines frequent boiler hazards in harbor tugs of that era and contributed to early safety reforms.

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

Vessel Type & Usage

A small harbor tug servicing Alpena, Michigan—engaged in towing ships and operating within tight port environments. Typical of mid‑19th‑century harbor workhorses.

Final Voyage & Loss

On 13 October 1875, while at the dock in Alpena, E. H. Miller suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion—shredding her hull and causing her to sink alongside the dock (hmdb.org).

Casualties

The explosion claimed the lives of two crew members: Captain Edwin H. Miller (the vessel’s namesake) and the cook (hmdb.org).

Final Disposition

Initially regarded as a total loss, the tug was later refloated and repaired according to port registry. She returned to service post-rebuild (hmdb.org).

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. No archaeological or wreckage surveys have been documented; the vessel was fully salvaged and restored to working order.

Notations & Advisories

No navigational hazards are associated with her location. The incident prompted greater attention to boiler safety standards in harbor operations.

Resources & Links

  • HMDB historical marker details on the explosion and casualties (hmdb.org)
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry describing the incident, casualties, and salvage outcome (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Conclusion

The E. H. Miller, a 60‑ft wooden harbor tug built in 1862, suffered a fatal boiler explosion on 13 October 1875 in Alpena. The blast killed two crew, sank the vessel, but subsequent salvage and repair returned her to service. The incident underlines frequent boiler hazards in harbor tugs of that era and contributed to early safety reforms.

e-h-miller-1862 1875-10-13 11:45:00