Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lizzie Sutton
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug
- Year Built: 1876
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Approximately 3 miles west of Whitefish Point, Michigan
- Official Number: Not found in standard registry listings
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Lizzie Sutton was a small wooden propeller-driven tug—commonly employed for harbor duties and vessel assistance in mid-19th century Lake Superior ports.
Description
Lizzie Sutton was a wooden-hulled propeller tug designed for assisting vessels and performing harbor duties. Its construction and operational history reflect the maritime practices of the late 19th century.
History
- Date of Incident: October 19, 1886
- Location: Anchored on Lake Superior, approximately 3 miles west of Whitefish Point, Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Congress.gov)
- Event: A fire—possibly accidental—broke out aboard while Lizzie Sutton lay at anchor.
- Outcome: The vessel burned to a total loss; the hull and superstructure were consumed by fire.
- Crew: 2 aboard at time of loss; both escaped safely in a dinghy and were later rescued by the steamer St. Marie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo: None (tug was unladen)
Significant Incidents
- No known wreck site has been identified or documented. The vessel sank at anchor; no vessel remains were surveyed by divers or sonar.
Final Disposition
Lizzie Sutton was destroyed by fire at anchor and considered a total loss. The hull was consumed, rendering further salvage impracticable. There were no casualties, and the crew rescue by St. Marie was successful.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No Notices to Mariners were issued post-loss. The fire likely consumed the vessel completely onsite, and no structural remains are believed to persist.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lizzie-sutton-1876″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion:
Lizzie Sutton suffered a catastrophic fire while anchored in late 1886 and was lost completely. Though no structural remains are believed to persist, her documented loss contributes to the broader understanding of wooden tug operations and fire risk on the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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