Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: John B. Breymann
- Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: Rand & Burger
- Dimensions: 71 ft × 18 ft × 10 ft; ~59 gross / 40 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 59 gross / 40 net tons
- Location: Maumee River boneyard, Toledo, Ohio
- Official Number: 91857
- Original Owners: G.H. Breymann & Bros. (dredging contractors)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller steam tug operating on Lake Erie.
Description
The John B. Breymann was a wooden steam tug built in 1885 by Rand & Burger in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It measured approximately 71 feet in length, 18 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of about 59 gross tons and 40 net tons.
History
The tug was owned by G.H. Breymann & Bros., a company involved in dredging operations. Throughout its service, it played a role in various maritime activities on Lake Erie.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: June 8, 1926
- Location: Moored at the Maumee River boneyard, Toledo, Ohio
- Incident: A fire, likely started by an ember from a passing locomotive, ignited a fleet of moored vessels including the John B. Breymann. The tug was tied up in a riveryard of idle or decommissioned vessels when the blaze began. It was completely consumed, burned to the waterline, and sank. The waterfront fire destroyed a group of seven vessels.
- Casualties: None reported; crew and dock personnel evacuated safely.
Final Disposition
The John B. Breymann was burned to the waterline and sank, resulting in a total loss with no salvage attempts made. The vessel’s documents and hull were never recovered.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the John B. Breymann is not accessible for diving due to its location and the nature of its loss. The site remains a historical point of interest related to maritime incidents in the Toledo area.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”john-b-breymann-us-91857-2″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the John B. Breymann on June 8, 1926, marked the end of a significant vessel in the Breymann dredging fleet. The tug’s destruction by fire highlights the risks faced by vessels moored in busy waterways. For further research, local fire reports, maritime records, and company archives may provide additional insights into this incident.
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.
(built 1885; lost June 8, 1926)
Wooden propeller steam tug operating on Lake Erie
Vessel Identity & Specifications
- Built: 1885 by Rand & Burger in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 91857
- Type: Wooden propeller steam tug, approximately 71 ft × 18 ft × 10 ft; ~59 gross / 40 net tons
Final Voyage & Loss (June 8, 1926)
- Location: Moored at the Maumee River boneyard, Toledo, Ohio
- Incident: A fire—likely started by an ember from a passing locomotive—ignited a fleet of moored vessels including John B. Breymann.
- The tug was tied up in a riveryard of idle or decommissioned vessels when the blaze began.
- She was completely consumed, burned to the waterline, and sank.
- The waterfront fire destroyed a group of seven vessels.
- Casualties: None reported; crew and dock personnel evacuated safely.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | John B. Breymann |
| Built | 1885, Manitowoc, WI |
| Official Number | 91857 |
| Type / Specs | Wooden steam tug, ~71 × 18 × 10 ft; 59 gt / 40 nt |
| Loss Date | June 8, 1926 |
| Loss Location | Maumee River boneyard, Toledo, Ohio |
| Cause of Loss | Fire ashore—started on property; burned and sank tug |
| Fatalities | None |
| Final Condition | Burned hull; total loss; no salvage |
| Owner | G.H. Breymann & Bros. (dredging contractors) |
Historical Context & Source Notes
- This case appears in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files under the B‑list entry for John B. Breymann. The summary provides the build data, loss date, fire circumstances, and property-source attribution.
- The Alchem Inc. shipwreck index corroborates the tug’s loss on June 28, 1926 (likely a reporting variation), noting her location at the Maumee River and her total destruction by fire.
Research Opportunities & Suggestions
For deeper investigation into this loss:
- Toledo newspaper archives (June 1926)—such as the Toledo Blade or Toledo News-Bee—likely contain dramatic fire coverage, vessel list destroyed, dock incidents, and possible owner statements.
- Fire department or railroad property logs—records from Maumee River terminal landowners or railroad companies may document fire cause and insurance claims.
- Dredging company or workboat operator archives—records from G.H. Breymann & Bros. could provide operational history and salvage decisions.
- Insurance or underwriters’ ledgers—penetrating loss records under Official Number 91857 often detail valuation and vessel history.
Conclusion
John B. Breymann, a wooden steam tug built in 1885 and operated by the Breymann dredging firm, was destroyed by fire on June 8, 1926, while moored in Toledo’s Maumee River yard. She burned and sank without loss of life, marking the end of one in a fleet of working vessels. Her documents and hull were never salvaged. Let me know if you’d like assistance tracking local fire reports, maritime records, or company archives for further detail.
john-b-breymann-us-91857 1926-06-08 10:42:00