Shotline Diving

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G. H. Notter US 10492

Explore the history of the G. H. Notter, a wooden tug lost in 1898, reflecting the early era of Great Lakes towing.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: G. H. Notter
  • Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder: VanSlyke & Notter
  • Dimensions: Length 58 ft (17.68 m); Beam 14 ft; Depth of hold 5.6 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 44 tons
  • Location:
  • Official Number: 10492
  • Original Owners: John Littlefield, Buffalo, NY; Sincennes McNaughton, Montreal, Quebec
  • Number of Masts: 1

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)

Description

Description: The G. H. Notter was a wooden tugboat built in 1862, characterized by its screw propulsion and designed for towing and harbor work. It had a single deck and was typical of its era.

History

History: The G. H. Notter was constructed in Buffalo, New York, and enrolled for service in the same city. It was owned initially by John Littlefield and later by Sincennes McNaughton of Montreal, Quebec, indicating its operational significance in the Great Lakes region.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

  • 1862: Constructed and enrolled in Buffalo, NY.
  • 1882, Jun: Ownership transferred to Sincennes McNaughton, Montreal, Quebec.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition: The G. H. Notter was lost in 1898. The cause of loss is not specified, and it is simply listed as ‘Lost.’ The exact location of the loss is undocumented, and no casualties were recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility: The current condition of the G. H. Notter is unknown, as it was lost without documentation of its final resting place.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”g-h-notter-us-10492″ title=”References & Links”]

Closing Summary: The G. H. Notter serves as a historical example of early wooden screw tugs on the Great Lakes, reflecting the maritime practices of the 19th century. Its undocumented loss highlights the challenges in maritime history research.

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.

Vessel Identification & Profile

  • Name: G. H. Notter
  • Official Number: 10492
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder: VanSlyke & Notter
  • Build Location: Buffalo, New York
  • Vessel Type: Tug (Towboat)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Decks: 1
  • Propulsion: Screw
  • Original Owner: John Littlefield, Buffalo, NY

Dimensions

  • Length: 58 ft
  • Beam: 14 ft
  • Depth: 5.6 ft
  • Tonnage (Old Style): 44 tons

Operational History

  • 1862: Constructed and enrolled in Buffalo, NY
  • 1882, Jun: Owned by Sincennes McNaughton, Montreal, Quebec

Final Disposition

  • Date of Loss: 1898
  • Cause: Not specified; listed as “Lost”
  • Location: Not documented
  • Casualties: Not recorded

Historical Significance
The G. H. Notter tug reflects the early wooden screw tugs developed during the Civil War-era period on the Great Lakes. Owned by key regional operators, including Sincennes McNaughton of Montreal, she was typical in size and design for small harbor and towing work. Her final loss in 1898, undocumented in location or condition, reflects the challenges in tracing non-catastrophic losses from this period.

Source References

  • C. Patrick Labadie Collection
  • Enrollment & Ownership Data (Buffalo, Montreal)
  • Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory

Keywords and Categories

  • Region: Great Lakes (Buffalo, Montreal)
  • Vessel Type: Tug / Towboat
  • Cause of Loss: Unknown (Lost)
  • Material: Wood
  • Operational Period: 1862–1898
  • Final Status: Lost
g-h-notter-us-10492 1898-07-16 14:47:00