Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lakewood Tug
- Type: Tugboat
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 90 ft ±5 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 13.7 m / 45 ft
- Location: Off Lakewood, OH near '117th Street Wreck'
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Tugboat, likely built in the late 19th century, designed for icebreaking and harbor towing.
Description
The Lakewood Tug Wreck measures approximately 90 ft in length with a wooden hull. The bow is 8 ft tall and clad in metal icebreaking sheathing, while the stern is raked and tapered, designed for screw and rudder placement.
History
The tugboat served primarily in icebreaking and harbor towing roles. Its operational history is not fully documented, but it is believed to have been scuttled or stripped post-salvage.
Significant Incidents
- Thunderstorm during dive caused visibility to drop from 5-8 ft to 3 ft.
- Anchor drift of approximately 0.33 miles noted during the dive.
Final Disposition
The wreck is likely scuttled or stripped following salvage operations. The boiler remains are present, but the engine and fittings are missing, indicating significant salvage activity.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is intact but has been salvaged and is tilted. Diver impact is noted with netting at the bow and signs of prior visitation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lakewood-tug-wreck” title=”References & Links”]
Divers interested in historical shipwrecks will find the Lakewood Tug Wreck a fascinating site, showcasing unique construction traits and the impact of salvage operations.
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.
Preliminary Field Report (CLUE Dive: May 28, 2005)
Location & Conditions
- Coordinates: Off Lakewood, OH near “117th Street Wreck”
- Depth: 45 ft (13.7 m)
- Visibility: Initially 5’–8′, dropped to 3′ during storm
- Environmental Notes: Thunderstorm occurred mid-dive with anchor drift of ~0.33 mi
Wreck Description
- Measured Length: 90 ft ±5 ft
- Heading: 270° magnetic (bow pointing west)
- Hull: Wooden
- Bow: 8 ft tall, clad in metal (icebreaking sheathing)
- Stern: Raked/tapered; undercut for screw & rudder (unseen)
Machinery
- Boiler: 14.6′ × 8′, forward-facing twin fireboxes
- Rotated off centerline, forward starboard corner near ribs
- Cradle: Large metal structure (16′ long), possibly machinery mount
- Artifacts: No tools, fittings, or machinery present
- Signs of Salvage: Boiler remains, rest stripped (engine, fittings missing)
- Diver Impact: Netting at bow, prior visitation signs
Analysis
- Vessel Type: Tugboat (likely late 19th century)
- Operational Role: Icebreaking and harbor towing
- Disposition: Likely scuttled or stripped post-salvage
- Notable Construction Traits:
- Icebreaking bow sheathing
- Central boiler, machine cradle
- Stone ballast blocks aft
Comparative Observations
| Feature | CSU Wreck | Lakewood Tug Wreck |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Prob. small freighter/barge | Prob. tugboat (icebreaker) |
| Length | ~92 ft ±10 ft | ~90 ft ±5 ft |
| Machinery | Gear/winch fragment | Boiler, cradle, stripped engine room |
| Artifacts | Crockery, bricks, burned timber | None (heavily salvaged) |
| Structural Clues | Double-planking, metal spikes | Ice sheathing, boiler, stern shape |
| Condition | Broken, buried | Intact but salvaged and tilted |
| Historic Period | Mid-late 19th century (est.) | Likely late 19th century |
Recommendations for Identification
- Historic Tug Registries (1870s–1910s): Search for ~90 ft ice-capable wooden tugs operating near Cleveland.
- Fire Loss Reports: Investigate late 19th-century records for Cleveland-area small freighters lost to fire.
- CLUE Sonar Archive Correlation: Use bathymetric & sidescan data to match silhouettes with known vessel plans.
- Permit-based Excavation (CSU wreck): Focused excavation near north end to retrieve trapped gear element.
- Contact NOAA & ODNR Lake Erie Programs: Cross-reference regional wreck surveys for match potential.