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.
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 & Construction
- Type: Wooden propeller tug
- Built: 1865 by Van Slyke & Notter, Buffalo, NY
- Official Number: 9207
- Tonnage: Approximately 12 gross tons
- Rigging: Single-deck, screw propulsion
Final Incident & Loss Details
- 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 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Crew & Casualties
- Casualties: None reported—crew safely evacuated
- Incident Context: Likely occurred during routine tug operations; fog or narrow maneuvering may have contributed
Wreck Condition & Site
- Wrecksite: Likely within or near the Cleveland Harbor entrance; presumed to rest in shallow water
- Condition: Wooden hull probably remains intact but submerged; may have been removed as part of harbor dredging or wreck clearance
Archival Documentation
- Recorded in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, with confirmation of build and loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Not widely covered in period newspapers, suggesting a non-catastrophic event with minimal impact
Research Recommendations
| Task | Detail |
|---|---|
| Harbor Clearance Logs | Examine 1868 Cleveland harbor authority records for wreck removal or salvage actions |
| Local Newspaper Search | Review late-Oct 1868 Cleveland Plain Dealer for collision account or tug-related news |
| Registry Info | Confirm build records and ownership details at U.S. Customs/Bureau vessels archives |
| Underwater Survey | Deploy side-scan sonar near harbor mouth to detect any preserved wreckage, if not removed |
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.
f-w-notter-t-w-notter-us-9207 1868-10-14 17:27:00