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.
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.
(Wooden Propeller Tug, built 1876; lost October 19, 1886)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lizzie Sutton
- Built: 1876 (exact yard undocumented)
- Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug
- Home Lake: Lake Superior
- Official Number: Not found in standard registry listings
Vessel Type & Description
Lizzie Sutton was a small wooden propeller-driven tug—commonly employed for harbor duties and vessel assistance in mid‑19th‑century Lake Superior ports.
History & Final Voyage
- 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)
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.
Located By & Date Found
- No known wreck site has been identified or documented. The vessel sank at anchor; no vessel remains were surveyed by divers or sonar.
Notmars & Advisories
- No Notices to Mariners issued post‑loss. The fire likely consumed the vessel completely onsite.
Sources & Citations
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“S” entries, Lizzie Sutton) documents her burning on Lake Superior on October 19, 1886, crew rescue, and total loss circumstances (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Summary Table
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Lizzie Sutton |
| Built | 1876 |
| Type | Wooden propeller tug |
| Loss Date | October 19, 1886 |
| Location | ~3 mi W of Whitefish Point, Lake Superior |
| Cause | Fire while anchored |
| Crew & Casualties | 2 aboard, both rescued, no fatalities |
| Cargo | None |
| Wreck Recovery | None recorded |
Keywords & Categories
- Region: Lake Superior
- Vessel Type: Tug, Wooden Propeller
- Cause of Loss: Fire at Anchor
- Period: Late 19th Century
- Casualties: None
- Dive Status: No known wreck
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.