Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Katy Reid
- Type: Wooden side-wheel steam tug
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: DePere, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 101 × 25 × 10 ft; 103 gross tons
- Registered Tonnage: 103 gross tons
- Location: Saginaw River at Salzburg, Michigan
- Official Number: 14255
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden side-wheel steam tug, a type of vessel commonly used in the 19th century for logging, freighting, and harbor operations.
Description
The Katy Reid, also recorded as Kate Reid, was built in 1867 at DePere, Wisconsin. This wooden side-wheel tug measured 101 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and had a depth of 10 feet. It was registered at 103 gross tons.
History
The Katy Reid served primarily in the logging and freighting industries, reflecting the essential role of wooden tugs during this era. However, her service was cut short when she caught fire while moored on the night of October 20, 1873.
Significant Incidents
- Date: October 20, 1873
- Location: Saginaw River at Salzburg, Michigan, Lake Huron
- The tug caught fire while moored for the night, resulting in a total loss. The crew managed to escape without casualties.
Final Disposition
After the fire, the Katy Reid was deemed a total loss. In the winter of 1873-74, her boiler and steam machinery were salvaged and later repurposed in the construction of the tug A. H. Hunter.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Katy Reid is not accessible for diving due to its total loss in the fire. The site may be of historical interest, but no physical remains are available for exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”katy-reid-us-14255-kate-reid” title=”References & Links”]
The Katy Reid serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden vessels in the era of steam propulsion, particularly the risks associated with fire. Her legacy continues through the reuse of her machinery in subsequent vessels.
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.
Side-Wheel Tug, Built 1867 – Lost October 20, 1873
Identification & Construction
- Name: Katy Reid (also recorded as Kate Reid)
- Official Number: 14255
- Build Year: 1867
- Shipyard: DePere, Wisconsin
- Vessel Type: Wooden side-wheel steam tug
- Dimensions: 101 × 25 × 10 ft; 103 gross tons
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Circumstances of Loss
- Date: October 20, 1873
- Location: Saginaw River at Salzburg, Michigan, Lake Huron
- Heated while moored for the night, Katy Reid caught fire and was burned to a total loss. The blaze spread quickly through her wooden hull, destroying the tug completely.
- The crew managed to escape with their lives, avoiding a casualty.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Aftermath & Salvage
- Her boiler and steam machinery were salvaged in the winter of 1873–74.
- These components were later repurposed in the construction of the tug A. H. Hunter, indicating a practical reuse of onboard equipment.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Historical Context & Significance
- Katy Reid exemplifies the era’s wooden side-wheel steam tugs—essential yet vulnerable workhorses of logging, freighting, and harbor operations.
- Her burning while docked reflects the heightened risk of fire associated with mid-19th-century steam propulsion and wooden construction.
Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1867, DePere, WI |
| Type | Wooden side-wheel steam tug |
| Dimensions | 101 × 25 × 10 ft; 103 gross tons |
| Lost | Oct 20, 1873, Saginaw River at Salzburg, MI |
| Cause | Dockside fire, total loss |
| Casualties | None – crew escaped |
| Aftermath | Boiler & steam gear reused in A. H. Hunter tug |