Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: O.W. Cheney
- Type: Wooden Tugboat (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 66 ft (20.1 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth of hold: 9.8 ft (3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross: 46 tons; Net: 24 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 4.9 m / 16 ft
- Location: Near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- Official Number: US 155034
- Original Owners: Thomas Maytham, L. P. Mason, Charles L. Thompson, Captain B. B. Inman
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The O.W. Cheney was a wooden tugboat, a type of vessel primarily used for towing other ships and assisting in navigation through narrow or difficult passages, particularly in busy ports and waterways like the Great Lakes. Tugboats like the O.W. Cheney were crucial to maritime operations, providing essential support to larger vessels. The O.W. Cheney was equipped with a high-pressure screw propulsion system and a robust engine, enabling it to perform the demanding tasks required of tugboats on the Great Lakes.
Description
The O.W. Cheney was built in 1881 by the Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York. Constructed with a wooden hull, the vessel measured 66 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, and had a depth of 9.8 feet. With a gross tonnage of 46 and a net tonnage of 24, the O.W. Cheney was a relatively small but powerful tugboat, well-suited for its role in towing and assisting other vessels.
The tugboat was initially owned by Thomas Maytham of Buffalo, New York, before passing through several other owners, including L. P. Mason of East Saginaw, Michigan, and Charles L. Thompson. The vessel was later chartered in Duluth, Minnesota, during a period when the records were incomplete. In 1889, Captain B. B. Inman purchased the O.W. Cheney for $6,500, and it was enrolled in Duluth under his ownership.
History
The O.W. Cheney served for over a decade, performing vital towing operations across the Great Lakes. However, its maritime journey came to a tragic end on August 24, 1894. While navigating near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the tugboat collided with the steamer Fayette, leading to the sinking of the O.W. Cheney in 16 feet of water. Fortunately, the relatively shallow depth allowed for the crew to escape without loss of life. Following the sinking, the vessel remained submerged until it was eventually dismantled in 1908.
Significant Incidents
- August 24, 1894: The O.W. Cheney collided with the steamer Fayette and sank near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Final Disposition
The O.W. Cheney sank on August 24, 1894, following a collision with the steamer Fayette near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The vessel sank in 16 feet of water and was left submerged until it was dismantled in 1908. The tugboat’s remains were removed, and the vessel was ultimately lost to the depths of Lake Huron.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the O.W. Cheney was located near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in 16 feet of water shortly after its sinking in 1894. The vessel remained underwater until it was dismantled in 1908, and no significant remnants of the wreck are known to remain.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”o-w-cheney-us-155034″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the O.W. Cheney tugboat is a reflection of the critical role that small but powerful vessels played in the maritime operations of the Great Lakes. Despite its relatively short service life, the O.W. Cheney contributed significantly to the safety and efficiency of shipping on the lakes. The collision that led to its sinking underscores the risks faced by tugboats working in close proximity to larger vessels. The eventual dismantling of the O.W. Cheney in 1908 marked the end of its maritime legacy, but its story remains a part of Great Lakes history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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