Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.B. Sherwood
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: W. Jamieson at Mill Point, Ontario
- Dimensions: 58 ft × 15 ft × 6 ft; 36 GRT, 21 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 36 GRT, 21 NRT
- Location: Likely near fire site on Lake Huron
- Official Number: C71064
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug.
Description
Description
The H.B. Sherwood was a wooden tugboat built in 1874, measuring 58 feet in length, 15 feet in beam, and 6 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of 36 gross tons and 21 net tons.
History
History
The H.B. Sherwood functioned as a tugboat on Lake Huron, primarily servicing freight between Ontario and U.S. ports. At the time of its loss, it was commanded by Capt. Egbert Doville, who was engaged in transporting wheat.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On September 18, 1884, the H.B. Sherwood caught fire while underway between Detroit and Buffalo. The cause of the fire was not recorded, and the vessel was declared a total loss, incurring damages around $5,000. Fortunately, no crew members were killed or injured.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The tug burned while underway and was declared a total loss. The wreck is believed to be located near the site of the fire on Lake Huron, but no official sinking coordinates or Notice to Mariners have been recorded. The current status of the wreck remains unlocated, with potential remains including charred hull timbers and engine fragments lying on the lakebed at an unknown depth.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The H.B. Sherwood remains unlocated, and its current condition is unknown. It is suggested that targeted side-scan sonar surveys be conducted near the last reported position to locate any burned-timber debris fields.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-b-sherwood-c-71064″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The H.B. Sherwood serves as a significant example of mid-19th-century wooden steam tugs, highlighting the critical role these vessels played in freight operations on the Great Lakes. The circumstances of its loss underscore the vulnerabilities faced by small steam vessels on open water. Locating the wreck would enhance research into early tug design and steam-era maritime hazards.
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 & Vessel Details
- Name: H.B. Sherwood
- Official Number: C71064
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steam tug
- Build: 1874 by W. Jamieson at Mill Point, Ontario
- Specifications: 58 ft × 15 ft × 6 ft; 36 GRT, 21 NRT (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Details & Loss
- Date of Loss: September 18, 1884
- Incident: Caught fire (cause unrecorded), burned to a total loss, incurring damages around $5,000. No crew were killed or injured. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Operational History
- Functioned as a tugboat on Lake Huron between Ontario and U.S. ports.
- Commanded at time of loss by Capt. Egbert Doville, of Cleveland, servicing freight such as wheat. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Loss & Wreck Site
- Foundering Circumstances: The tug burned while underway between Detroit and Buffalo and was declared a total loss. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Wreck Location: Likely near fire site on Lake Huron. No official sinking coordinates or Notice to Mariners recorded.
- Current Status: Remains unlocated, potentially with charred hull timbers and engine fragments lying on the lakebed at unknown depth.
Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“S” section) entry for H.B. Sherwood ■ official build info, vessel specs, and incident summary (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Research Gaps & Recommendations
| Research Area | Suggested Archive Source |
|---|---|
| Fire Cause | Check newspapers (Sept 1884) in Cleveland, Detroit, and Ontario maritime press for cause and timeline |
| Survey/Insurance | Investigate marine insurance ledgers (e.g., Lloyd’s or Canadian insurers) for fire loss evaluations |
| Detailed Vessel Registry | Review 1874 enrollment and registry records (e.g., Ontario Custom House) for engine specs and original ownership |
| Wreck Survey | Conduct targeted side-scan sonar surveys near last reported position, focusing on burned-timber debris fields |
Historical Significance
As a mid‑19th-century wooden steam tug, H.B. Sherwood exemplifies auxiliary maritime craft critical to freight operations on the Great Lakes—especially in handling bulk cargo like wheat. Her fiery loss with no casualties highlights both the utility and vulnerability of small steam vessels on open water. Locating her remains would significantly contribute to research in early tug design, steam-era hazard management, and lake-site fire archaeology.
h-b-sherwood-c-71064 1884-09-18 13:26:00