E.H. Miller (1862)

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

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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.