Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eva Wadsworth
- Type: Screw tug/towboat
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: 50 ft (15.2 m); 10 ft (3.05 m); 4.6 ft (1.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross 23.67; Net 11.84
- Location: Rice's Point, Duluth, Minnesota
- Official Number: 8723
- Original Owners: S.S. Vaughn, George Lloyd
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Eva Wadsworth is classified as a screw tugboat, constructed with a wooden hull and designed for towing and assisting other vessels.
Description
Originally launched as the Wadsworth in 1871, this vessel was a single-deck, wood-hulled tugboat. It was later renamed Eva and was primarily engaged in log recovery operations.
History
The vessel was launched in 1871 and initially owned by S.S. Vaughn. It underwent several ownership changes and operational roles throughout its service life, including a notable incident in July 1888 when a kerosene lantern exploded while it was anchored in Marquette. The vessel was renamed Eva in 1889 and continued operations until its catastrophic fire in 1890.
Significant Incidents
- July 1888: Lantern explosion while anchored in Marquette; fire extinguished with minimal damage.
- November 1889: Went ashore near Bayfield but was successfully refloated.
- 13 November 1890: Catastrophic fire while moored near Rice’s Point, leading to the vessel being partially destroyed and subsequently scuttled.
Final Disposition
After the fire in 1890, the Eva Wadsworth was scuttled near Rice’s Point. The wreckage remains beneath shallow water, with minimal salvage reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely shallow and accessible for diving or remote surveying. The burned wooden structure may be decayed, but some metal fittings or engine parts may still be present.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eva-wadsworth-us-8723″ title=”References & Links”]
The Eva Wadsworth represents an important piece of late 19th-century maritime history in the Great Lakes, reflecting the evolution of tugboat design and operation during a period of industrial expansion.
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