Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: F. W. Notter (T. W. Notter)
- Type: Wooden propeller tug
- Year Built: 1865
- Builder: Van Slyke & Notter, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 12 gross tons
- Location: Near the mouth of Cleveland Harbor
- Official Number: 9207
- Number of Masts: Single-deck, screw propulsion
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller tug.
Description
Description
The F. W. Notter was a wooden tug built in 1865, measuring approximately 12 gross tons. It was equipped with a single-deck and screw propulsion system.
History
History
Constructed by Van Slyke & Notter in Buffalo, NY, the F. W. Notter served in harbor operations until its loss in 1868.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: 14 October 1868
- Location: Near the mouth of Cleveland Harbor, Lake Erie
- Cause: Collision with the larger Cleveland tug S. S. Coe while assisting at the harbor entrance
- Outcome: Struck and sank; no loss of life recorded
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The wreck of the F. W. Notter is presumed to rest in shallow water near the Cleveland Harbor entrance. The wooden hull likely remains intact but may have been removed as part of harbor dredging or wreck clearance.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The condition of the wreck is uncertain, as it may have been cleared. It is suggested that the wreck site is likely within or near the Cleveland Harbor entrance.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”f-w-notter-t-w-notter-us-9207″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The F. W. Notter, a 12-ton wooden tug built in Buffalo in 1865, sank on October 14, 1868, following a collision with the tug S. S. Coe at the mouth of Cleveland Harbor. The sinking resulted in no fatalities. While little remains in the historical record, the tug offers a glimpse into mid-19th-century harbor operations. Her remains may still exist—though possibly cleared—and could be located via historical and sonar investigations.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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