Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: L.H. Boole
- Type: Propeller steam tug, wood
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Approx. 60 × 13 × 6 ft; 57 GT / 28 NT
- Registered Tonnage: 57 GT / 28 NT
- Location: Near South Haven, Michigan
- Official Number: 14809
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Propeller steam tug, constructed of wood, typical of mid-19th-century vessels operating on the Great Lakes.
Description
Description
The L.H. Boole was a wooden steam tug built in 1858, measuring approximately 60 feet in length. It was registered in Milwaukee and primarily engaged in towing operations on Lake Michigan.
History
History
The L.H. Boole served in the mid-19th century, assisting in the towing of barges and facilitating trade across Lake Michigan. Its operational history reflects the challenges faced by vessels of that era, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Grounded and wrecked on 9 October 1872 during a storm near South Haven, Michigan.
- Declared a total loss with no recorded casualties.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The vessel was wrecked on the shoreline. Specific details regarding salvage operations are not documented, but it is believed that the remains were either removed or left to deteriorate.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern remains of the L.H. Boole have been identified; it is likely that any remnants are broken and scattered near the grounding site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-h-boole-us-14809″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The tug L.H. Boole, launched in Milwaukee in 1858, was lost on 9 October 1872 near South Haven during a storm. Thankfully, no crew members perished. Though now absent as a physical wreck, her story contributes to the maritime legacy of early steam towing on the Great Lakes.
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.
Identification
- Official Number: 14809
- Built: 1858 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Type: Propeller steam tug, wood
- Dimensions: Approx. 60 × 13 × 6 ft; 57 GT / 28 NT
- Registry: Milwaukee
Final Incident – 9 October 1872, Lake Michigan
- Location: Near South Haven, Michigan, along the Lake Michigan coast
- Weather Conditions: Storm
- Event: Stranded and wrecked during heavy weather; declared a total loss
- Casualties: No loss of life recorded (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Wreck & Aftermath
- Disposition: Wrecked on shoreline; removed or left to deteriorate (specific salvage details not documented)
- Post-loss Status: No modern remains identified; likely broken and scattered near the grounding site
Historical Context
- Typical of mid-19th‑century wooden tugs operating on Lake Michigan, involved in towing barges and assisting lake trade
- The grounding of the L.H. Boole during a storm highlights the frequent hazards faced by towing vessels in open-lake operations before robust storm forecasting and marine rescue systems were in place
Sources & Verification
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry confirms the official number, tonnage, loss date, place, and no fatalities. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Next Research Opportunities
- Historic Newspapers – Explore South Haven Telegram or Chicago Tribune for detailed storm reports and salvage operations from Oct 1872
- Harbor Authority & Card Files – Investigate South Haven port records for wreck logs or liability documents
- Local Museum/Archive – South Haven Historical Society may have local accounts or photos
Summary
The tug L.H. Boole, launched in Milwaukee in 1858, was lost on 9 October 1872 near South Haven during a storm. Thankfully, no crew members perished. Though now absent as a physical wreck, her story contributes to the maritime legacy of early steam towing on the Great Lakes.
l-h-boole-us-14809 1872-10-09 23:09:00