Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.P. Ferry
- Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Gregory shipyard, Chicago, Illinois
- Dimensions: 67 ft × 15 ft; draft ~8 ft; 36 GRT / 18 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 36 GRT / 18 NRT
- Location: West Superior, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 8981
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
Description
Description: The E.P. Ferry was a wooden steam tug built for towing and harbor assistance on Lake Superior. It measured 67 feet in length and 15 feet in beam, with a draft of approximately 8 feet.
History
History: Launched in 1873 and rebuilt in 1878, the E.P. Ferry served Lake Superior harbors for over 25 years. On January 28, 1900, while docked for the winter at West Superior, she caught fire, likely due to an issue with her wooden superstructure or bunkers. The fire completely destroyed the vessel, leaving only a burned hulk. In the summer of 1900, the remains were dynamited to recover any remaining steel and clear the dock area.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- January 28, 1900: Destroyed by fire while docked at West Superior, Wisconsin.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition: The E.P. Ferry was declared a total loss after the fire. Her hull was later demolished to recover salvageable steel components, and no part of the vessel remains intact today.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility: The incident was recorded by port authorities upon her destruction. No GPS location exists, as the wreck was onshore and later cleared; no underwater archaeology applies. The West Superior dock area remains active and redeveloped, with no navigation markers or wreck hazards remaining.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-p-ferry-us-8981″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion: The E.P. Ferry, a sturdy steam tug launched in 1873, was destroyed by fire at her winter berth on January 28, 1900, in West Superior, WI. Following the blaze, her remains were destroyed and salvaged in summer 1900. Her history serves as a reminder of wooden vessel fire risks, especially during winter lay-ups in Great Lakes ports.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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