Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: G. J. Dorr
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven steam tug
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: Saugatuck, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 57 ft × Beam 14 ft × Depth 7 ft; approx. 26 GRT / 13 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 26 GRT / 13 NRT
- Location: Approximately 8 miles south of the Chicago shoreline
- Official Number: 85890
- Original Owners: Green Dredging Co., Chicago
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven steam tug.
Description
Description
The G. J. Dorr, originally launched as Gertrude, was a wooden tug built in 1885. It was primarily used for towing barges across Lake Michigan.
History
History
The G. J. Dorr typifies late 19th-century service tugs tasked with moving barges. Its loss under tow during storm conditions underscores the operational risks of that era.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On September 24, 1899, while towing two dump scows from Michigan City to Chicago, the G. J. Dorr was caught in a sudden storm about 8 miles off South Chicago.
- The tug began filling with water, was quickly abandoned by her crew (who transferred onto one of the scows), and sank—no casualties.
- The disaster illustrates the vulnerability of small tugs under heavy tow in rough Lake Michigan conditions.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The G. J. Dorr sank at an unidentified point in Lake Michigan, approximately 8 miles south of the Chicago shoreline. Recovery efforts have not been recorded, and the wreck likely rests undisturbed in deep water. It is considered a total loss, with no subsequent salvage operations detailed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the G. J. Dorr is presumed to be undisturbed in deep water, with no recovery efforts documented. Accessibility for divers may be limited due to the depth and location.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”g-j-dorr-us-85890″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The sinking of the G. J. Dorr without loss of life offers a case study in emergency abandonment procedures and crew resourcefulness during the operational challenges faced by tugs in the late 19th century.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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