Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lyric
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 34 × 7 × 4 ft; 12 GRT / 10 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 12 GRT / 10 NRT
- Location: Duluth Harbor, Minnesota
- Official Number: 140903
- Original Owners: Witt Towing Company, Duluth MN
- Number of Masts: Small, exact number unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug
Description
The Lyric was a wooden-hulled propeller tug built in 1887 in Buffalo, NY. It was owned by the Witt Towing Company based in Duluth, Minnesota. The tug measured 34 feet in length, 7 feet in beam, and had a depth of 4 feet, with a registered tonnage of 12 gross registered tons (GRT) and 10 net registered tons (NRT).
History
The Lyric served in Duluth Harbor, engaging in towing operations typical for tugboats of its size and type. Its operational history reflects the challenges faced by tugboats in busy harbor environments, particularly concerning navigational hazards and the risks associated with collisions.
Significant Incidents
- Incident: On August 25, 1898, while operating in Duluth Harbor, the Lyric was rammed amidships by the much larger tug Geo. Emerson.
- Outcome: The Lyric sustained critical damage and quickly sank to the bottom of the harbor.
- Casualties: One crew member was lost, while others were presumably rescued.
Final Disposition
The Lyric sank following the collision, and its wreck is believed to be located in Duluth Harbor. The incident serves as a significant case study in tugboat operations and safety protocols.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Lyric is likely sitting upright in shallow harbor waters, making it accessible for shallow dive documentation. Side-scan sonar surveys may be employed to locate the hull.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lyric-us-140903″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Lyric underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden-hulled tugs and has likely influenced harbor safety practices in Duluth, serving as a cautionary tale for future maritime 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.
Identification & Design
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller tug
- Official No.: 140903
- Built: 1887, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 34 × 7 × 4 ft; 12 GRT / 10 NRT
- Owner: Witt Towing Company, Duluth MN
- Crew: Small, exact number unknown
Final Voyage & Loss – August 25, 1898
- Incident: While operating in Duluth Harbor, Lyric was rammed amidships by the much larger tug Geo. Emerson
- Outcome: Sustained critical damage, quickly sank to the bottom
- Casualties: 1 crew member lost (others presumably rescued) (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Historical & Maritime Significance
- The incident highlights the dangerous nature of tug operations in busy harbors, even involving seemingly small vessels
- Lyric‘s loss emphasizes not only navigational hazards, but also the vulnerability of wooden-hulled steam tugs to collision damage
- Serves as a cautionary case that may have informed harbor traffic protocols and tug safety measures in Duluth
Research & Investigation Pathways
| Focus Area | Suggested Action |
|---|---|
| Port Records & Logs | Retrieve 1898 Duluth harbor master records and Geo. Emerson’s logs for details on collision—often housed in Duluth port archives |
| Newspaper Archives | Explore Duluth News Tribune and Duluth Herald editions around Aug 25–26, 1898 for collision reports, tug schedules, and casualty accounts |
| Coast Guard/U.S. Lifesaving Logs | U.S. Coast Guard logs may detail rescue efforts, towing lanes, or harbor warnings issued following the accident |
| Wreck-Site Survey | Use side-scan sonar in Duluth Harbor to locate the Lyric hull—likely sitting upright in shallow harbor waters and accessible for shallow dive documentation |
Summary Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Lyric |
| Built | 1887, Buffalo; wooden tug |
| Lost | Aug 25, 1898 – collision with Geo. Emerson in Duluth Harbor |
| Casualties | 1 crew member lost |
| Significance | Demonstrates tug vulnerability and influenced harbor safety practices |