Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fanny Dowell
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage: 18 tons
- Location: Two miles from Pelee Island
- Original Owners: Registered out of Sandusky, Ohio
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Fanny Dowell was a wooden tugboat, a type of vessel designed to maneuver larger ships by towing or pushing them, commonly used in harbors, rivers, and canals.
Description
The Fanny Dowell was a wooden tugboat weighing approximately 18 tons, registered out of Sandusky, Ohio. On July 8, 1880, she capsized and sank two miles from Pelee Island in Lake Erie. Specific details regarding the circumstances of the sinking, including potential loss of life or cargo, are not well-documented. Some sources suggest the incident may have occurred in 1890, but the prevailing consensus points to the 1880 date.
History
Due to the limited information available, further specifics about the Fanny Dowell‘s construction, ownership, and operational history remain scarce. The exact location of the wreck has not been definitively identified, and it is unclear whether any salvage operations were undertaken following the sinking.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized and sank on July 8, 1880, near Pelee Island.
- Conflicting reports suggest a possible sinking date of 1890, but 1880 is more widely accepted.
Final Disposition
The Fanny Dowell remains a confirmed wreck in Lake Erie, with limited information on salvage operations or recovery efforts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Details regarding the current condition of the wreck are not available, and the exact location remains unidentified.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fanny-dowell” title=”References & Links”]
The Fanny Dowell serves as a reminder of the maritime history of Lake Erie and the challenges faced by tugboats in the region.
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.
The FANNY DOWELL was a wooden tugboat weighing approximately 18 tons, registered out of Sandusky, Ohio. On July 8, 1880, she capsized and sank two miles from Pelee Island in Lake Erie. Specific details regarding the circumstances of the sinking, including potential loss of life or cargo, are not well-documented. Some sources suggest the incident may have occurred in 1890, but the prevailing consensus points to the 1880 date.
Due to the limited information available, further specifics about the FANNY DOWELL’s construction, ownership, and operational history remain scarce. The exact location of the wreck has not been definitively identified, and it is unclear whether any salvage operations were undertaken following the sinking.
Links and Resources
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
Keywords: FANNY DOWELL, tugboat, Lake Erie shipwreck, Pelee Island, maritime history
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Tugboats
Glossary Terms:
- • Tugboat: A small, powerful vessel designed to maneuver larger ships by towing or pushing them, commonly used in harbors, rivers, and canals.
- • Capsize: The overturning of a vessel in water, rendering it upside down or on its side.
- • Salvage Operations: The process of recovering a ship and its cargo after a shipwreck or other maritime accident.