Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H.F. Bues
- Type: Wooden Propeller Tug
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Wolf & Davidson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length: 51.3 ft (15.6 m); Beam: 13.3 ft (4 m); Depth of hold: 8.4 ft (2.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 25 Gross, 12 Net
- Location: Middle Ground, Pelee Passage, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Approx. 8 miles offshore from Pelee Passage
- Official Number: U95346
- Original Owners: Starke Bros., C. Starke & Co., Smith & Starke, C.E. Mitchell, William S. Edwards & Edward Bros. Dredge Co.
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The H.F. Bues was a wooden propeller tug, primarily used for towing operations on the Great Lakes.
Description
The H.F. Bues was built in 1873 and originally measured 47 feet in length, 13 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth. After revisions in 1904, its dimensions changed to 51.3 feet in length, 13.3 feet in beam, and 8.4 feet in depth. The tug had a gross tonnage of 25 and a net tonnage of 12.
History
The H.F. Bues served as a tug for nearly four decades, primarily engaged in towing operations. On July 27, 1910, while towing a dredge through Pelee Passage in Lake Erie, the tug encountered a severe storm. A cyclone struck, causing the tug to sink in deep water approximately 8 miles offshore. The crew of four escaped the incident unharmed and reported the accident. Remarkably, the dredge being towed made it safely to shore.
Significant Incidents
- July 27, 1910: The H.F. Bues sank during a storm while towing a dredge in Pelee Passage, Lake Erie.
Final Disposition
The H.F. Bues was lost to the depths of Lake Erie. While the dredge survived the storm, the tug was irreparably sunk, leaving its final resting place in an undetermined location in deep water near Pelee Passage.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: The wreck has not been officially located or documented in diving or salvage records. The tug is presumed to be in deep water and likely remains in a deteriorated state.
Accessibility: Exploration may be challenging due to the unknown location and depth of the wreck.
Resources & Links
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The story of the H.F. Bues is a reminder of the hardworking tugs that formed the backbone of maritime operations in the Great Lakes and the challenges they faced during their service.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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