Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H. P. Smith
- Type: Wooden steam tug
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Lent, Conneaut, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not documented
- Depth at Wreck Site: 25 ft
- Location: Saginaw River, Michigan, upper ship channel
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden steam tug
Description
The H. P. Smith was a wooden steam tug built in 1864, primarily used for towing timber rafts along the Saginaw River.
History
As a steam-powered tug, the H. P. Smith played a critical role in the booming lumber industry era around Saginaw, primarily towing large rafts of timber along inland waterways. Built during the Civil War era, she represents mid-19th-century steam technology transition into inland and industrial maritime operations.
Significant Incidents
- While towing a timber raft on the Saginaw River, the H. P. Smith caught fire and burned, resulting in a complete loss.
- The hull sank in about 25 ft of water, with only 6 inches of her structure remaining above the riverbed, indicating she burned almost entirely to the waterline, then sank.
- No lives were lost during the incident (en.wikipedia.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, linkstothepast.com).
Final Disposition
The H. P. Smith was lost on May 27, 1872, due to a fire while towing a timber raft. The vessel burned almost entirely to the waterline before sinking in the Saginaw River.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck remains under relatively shallow water, with only a small portion of the structure visible above the riverbed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-p-smith-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
The H. P. Smith‘s fiery loss on May 27, 1872, in the Saginaw River underscores the ever-present risk of fire aboard wood-hulled steam vessels, especially under the stress of towing heavy timber rafts. This case highlights the hazardous mix of steam power and wooden craft during Great Lakes lumber-era logistics.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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