Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kate Moffat
- Type: Tug (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: Alex Stewart
- Dimensions: 114 ft × 21 ft × 10.2 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 214.11 gross tons
- Location: 3 miles north of Presque Isle, Michigan
- Coordinates: Not precisely recorded
- Official Number: 14127
- Original Owners: Multiple; final known owner: Detroit Tug & Wrecking Co.
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Tugboat, specifically a wooden-hulled screw-propelled tugboat typical of mid-19th century design.
Description
Description
The Kate Moffat was constructed in Port Huron, Michigan by Alex Stewart in 1864. Originally measured at 106.5 ft, she was later lengthened and received a new boiler and second deck in 1874, reflecting her evolving role in towing and wrecking operations.
History
History
Enrolled in Detroit in June 1864, the tug changed hands frequently throughout the 1860s and 1870s, with her stern being rebuilt and dimensions revised. She was involved in several minor collisions during her service, including incidents with schooners Montcalm and Pulaski. In 1883 she was sold to the Detroit Tug & Wrecking Co., likely continuing wrecking and tow services across Lake Huron.
On 31 May 1885, while towing the schooners Metropolis and Havana, she ran aground in thick fog near Blue Point. The vessel subsequently caught fire and was declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Involved in several minor collisions during her service.
- Grounded in fog while towing schooners Metropolis and Havana on 31 May 1885.
- Declared a total loss following grounding and fire.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
Declared a constructive total loss following grounding and fire. Machinery was salvaged in 1886 by the tug Kate Williams and installed aboard the tug Gladiator in Detroit. Enrollment was officially surrendered later that year. In 1887, her remaining wreck structure was struck by the lighthouse tender Dahlia.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is not formally documented in sonar or diver survey records. The known loss site is 3 miles north of Presque Isle, MI (Blue Point), indicating shallow water nearshore remains may persist. The site is presumed scattered and deteriorated, with potential for partial burial or embedding.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kate-moffat-us-14127″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The Kate Moffat serves as a historical reminder of the maritime activities in the Great Lakes during the 19th century. While the wreck remains undocumented, it is an intriguing site for divers interested in the region’s shipwreck history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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