Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.P. Dorr
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Van Slyke, Notter & Co.
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: approximately 500 tons
- Location: Lake Huron, precise coordinates unknown
- Coordinates: unknown
- Original Owners: Chicago Mutual, Garden City of Chicago, Star of Ogdensburgh Insurance Companies
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The E.P. DORR was a newly constructed steam tug built in 1856 by Van Slyke, Notter & Co. in Buffalo, New York. It was a large, powerful vessel for its type, with an estimated tonnage of approximately 500 tons. Steam tugs like the E.P. DORR were crucial during this era for towing other vessels, assisting with navigation in harbors, and aiding in maritime operations.
The tug was a significant investment for its owners, including the Chicago Mutual, Garden City of Chicago, and Star of Ogdensburgh Insurance Companies. Its robust design was intended to withstand the rigors of towing and assisting vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
The E.P. DORR embarked on its final voyage in June 1856, traveling from Detroit to Chicago. Onboard was a large steam pump owned by Buffalo Mutual, a valuable piece of equipment intended for operations further west.
While navigating Lake Huron, the tug collided with the Canadian propeller vessel OLIVER CROMWELL. The force of the collision caused significant damage, and the E.P. DORR sank within three minutes, leaving little time for salvage or rescue efforts. The loss of the E.P. DORR was a significant financial blow, with the combined property loss from the incident totaling $38,000. For the insurance companies involved, the loss of the tug and its valuable cargo amounted to approximately $10,000.
Despite the rapid sinking, it appears the crew of the E.P. DORR survived, as no fatalities were reported in contemporary accounts.
History
The E.P. DORR sank in deep water following its collision with the OLIVER CROMWELL. Given the depth of the wreck and the limited salvage technology of the time, the vessel was abandoned, and no recovery efforts were attempted.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with OLIVER CROMWELL: The E.P. Dorr collided with the Canadian propeller vessel OLIVER CROMWELL, resulting in significant damage and rapid sinking.
- Financial Loss: The incident resulted in a combined property loss of $38,000, with the insurance companies facing approximately $10,000 in losses.
- Survivor Accounts: No fatalities were reported among the crew, indicating successful evacuation despite the rapid sinking.
Final Disposition
The wreck site of the E.P. DORR has not been formally located or documented. It is presumed to remain on the bottom of Lake Huron in an unidentified location.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck site of the E.P. DORR, as its exact location remains unknown. Mariners should exercise caution when navigating Lake Huron, particularly near potential collision zones.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-p-dorr-1856″ title=”References & Links”]
The tragic loss of the E.P. DORR highlights the risks inherent in Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. As a new and powerful vessel, the tug symbolized the growing reliance on steam power and industrial advancements of the era. Its sinking, within moments of colliding with the OLIVER CROMWELL, underscores the challenges of managing heavy vessel traffic on the lakes. While the E.P. DORR‘s exact location remains unknown, its story endures as a reminder of the perils of early maritime operations 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.
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Wreck Name: E.P. DORR
- Type: Steam Tug
- Date of Incident: June 1856
- Location: Lake Huron, precise coordinates unknown
- Depth: Sank in deep water
- Condition: Total loss within minutes of collision
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The E.P. DORR was a newly constructed steam tug built in 1856 by Van Slyke, Notter & Co. in Buffalo, New York. It was a large, powerful vessel for its type, with an estimated tonnage of approximately 500 tons. Steam tugs like the E.P. DORR were crucial during this era for towing other vessels, assisting with navigation in harbors, and aiding in maritime operations.
The tug was a significant investment for its owners, including the Chicago Mutual, Garden City of Chicago, and Star of Ogdensburgh Insurance Companies. Its robust design was intended to withstand the rigors of towing and assisting vessels on the Great Lakes.
HISTORY
The E.P. DORR embarked on its final voyage in June 1856, traveling from Detroit to Chicago. Onboard was a large steam pump owned by Buffalo Mutual, a valuable piece of equipment intended for operations further west.
While navigating Lake Huron, the tug collided with the Canadian propeller vessel OLIVER CROMWELL. The force of the collision caused significant damage, and the E.P. DORR sank within three minutes, leaving little time for salvage or rescue efforts. The loss of the E.P. DORR was a significant financial blow, with the combined property loss from the incident totaling $38,000. For the insurance companies involved, the loss of the tug and its valuable cargo amounted to approximately $10,000.
Despite the rapid sinking, it appears the crew of the E.P. DORR survived, as no fatalities were reported in contemporary accounts.
FINAL DISPOSITION
The E.P. DORR sank in deep water following its collision with the OLIVER CROMWELL. Given the depth of the wreck and the limited salvage technology of the time, the vessel was abandoned, and no recovery efforts were attempted.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES
Navigational Hazard: No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck site of the E.P. DORR, as its exact location remains unknown.
Advisory: Mariners should exercise caution when navigating Lake Huron, particularly near potential collision zones.
LOCATED BY & DATE
Discovery: The wreck site of the E.P. DORR has not been formally located or documented.
Current Status: Presumed to remain on the bothttps://shotlinediving.comwp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Lake Huron in an unidentified location.
RESOURCES & LINKS
- Historical reports on the incident, including Buffalo and Detroit newspapers from 1856.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Records of steam tugs and collisions in Lake Huron.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: General accounts of mid-19th-century maritime incidents.
CONCLUSION
The tragic loss of the E.P. DORR highlights the risks inherent in Great Lakes navigation during the 19th century. As a new and powerful vessel, the tug symbolized the growing reliance on steam power and industrial advancements of the era. Its sinking, within moments of colliding with the OLIVER CROMWELL, underscores the challenges of managing heavy vessel traffic on the lakes.
While the E.P. DORR‘s exact location remains unknown, its story endures as a reminder of the perils of early maritime operations on the Great Lakes.
KEYWORDS
#EPDorr #LakeHuronWrecks #SteamTug #GreatLakesShipwreck #OLIVERCROMWELL #19thCenturyMaritimeHistory #BuffaloShipbuilders #GreatLakesDisaster
e-p-dorr-1856 1856-06-14 07:53:00