Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Paddy Murphy

Explore the wreck of the Paddy Murphy, a historic tugboat lost in 1888, located in Dover Bay, Ohio. A site of interest for divers and maritime historians alike.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: PADDY MURPHY
  • Type: Tugboat (Towboat)
  • Year Built: 1882
  • Builder: Saugatuck, Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length: 68.8 ft (21 m); Beam: 17.4 ft (5.3 m); Depth of hold: 8.9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 42.21 tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
  • Location: Dover Bay, west of Cleveland, Ohio
  • Coordinates: 41°29.576'N, 81°56.431'W
  • Original Owners: Patrick Murphy, Henry Gilman, Thomas Axworthy

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The PADDY MURPHY was a wooden tugboat, launched in 1882 from Saugatuck, Michigan. With a screw propulsion system, it was designed for towing operations within harbors and coastal waters. The vessel served as an essential asset in moving larger ships and barges, indicative of the hardworking tugboats employed on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

Description

The PADDY MURPHY was a wooden tugboat, launched in 1882 from Saugatuck, Michigan. With a screw propulsion system, it was designed for towing operations within harbors and coastal waters. The vessel served as an essential asset in moving larger ships and barges, indicative of the hardworking tugboats employed on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

History

Construction and Early Operations
Built: 1882 in Saugatuck, Michigan.
Original Owners: Patrick Murphy and Henry Gilman.
Primary Use: Towing services in Chicago, Illinois.

Change of Ownership
Acquired by Thomas Axworthy of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1888, marking a shift in its operational base to Lake Erie.

Final Voyage
On April 23, 1888, the PADDY MURPHY was towing the schooner Republic to Lorain, Ohio, when it caught fire near Dover Bay. Despite efforts to save the vessel, the fire consumed the tug down to the waterline. The vessel sank in shallow water, approximately 10 feet (3 meters) deep. The loss marked the end of its short but significant operational career.

Significant Incidents

  • The vessel was destroyed by fire and sank to the bottom of Dover Bay.
  • Its location near Bay Village, Ohio, is a known site, though the wreck is likely severely deteriorated due to the fire and subsequent exposure to the elements.

Final Disposition

The vessel was destroyed by fire and sank to the bottom of Dover Bay. Its location near Bay Village, Ohio, is a known site, though the wreck is likely severely deteriorated due to the fire and subsequent exposure to the elements.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Depth: 10 feet (3 meters), easily accessible to divers.
Condition: Likely fragmented and charred due to fire damage, with further deterioration over time. The shallow location in a well-trafficked area may have led to additional disturbances.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”paddy-murphy” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The PADDY MURPHY, a tugboat built in 1882 and lost to a fire in 1888, exemplifies the pivotal role of small working vessels in the maritime economy of the Great Lakes. Its sinking near Dover Bay, west of Cleveland, Ohio, marks a tragic end to a vessel that served a critical function in towing operations. The wreck, though deteriorated, remains a point of interest for historians and divers, preserving the memory of an essential chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.

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 & Site Information

  • Name: PADDY MURPHY
  • Type: Tugboat (Towboat)
  • Tonnage: Gross: 42.21 tons
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 68.8 feet (21 meters)
    • Beam: 17.4 feet (5.3 meters)
    • Depth: 8.9 feet (2.7 meters)
  • Location: Dover Bay, west of Cleveland, Ohio, Lake Erie
  • Coordinates: 41°29.576’N, 81°56.431’W
  • Year of Loss: April 23, 1888
  • Depth: Approximately 10 feet (3 meters)

Vessel Type Description

The PADDY MURPHY was a wooden tugboat, launched in 1882 from Saugatuck, Michigan. With a screw propulsion system, it was designed for towing operations within harbors and coastal waters. The vessel served as an essential asset in moving larger ships and barges, indicative of the hardworking tugboats employed on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

History

Construction and Early Operations

  • Built: 1882 in Saugatuck, Michigan.
  • Original Owners: Patrick Murphy and Henry Gilman.
  • Primary Use: Towing services in Chicago, Illinois.

Change of Ownership

  • Acquired by Thomas Axworthy of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1888, marking a shift in its operational base to Lake Erie.

Final Voyage

On April 23, 1888, the PADDY MURPHY was towing the schooner Republic to Lorain, Ohio, when it caught fire near Dover Bay. Despite efforts to save the vessel, the fire consumed the tug down to the waterline. The vessel sank in shallow water, approximately 10 feet (3 meters) deep. The loss marked the end of its short but significant operational career.

Final Disposition

  • The vessel was destroyed by fire and sank to the bothttps://shotlinediving.comwp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Dover Bay.
  • Its location near Bay Village, Ohio, is a known site, though the wreck is likely severely deteriorated due to the fire and subsequent exposure to the elements.

NOTMARs & Advisories

  • NOTMARs: No current Notices to Mariners apply to the site.
  • Advisories: Mariners and divers should exercise caution due to the potential fragility of the wreck and its shallow depth.

Current Condition & Accessibility

  • Depth: 10 feet (3 meters), easily accessible to divers.
  • Condition: Likely fragmented and charred due to fire damage, with further deterioration over time. The shallow location in a well-trafficked area may have led to additional disturbances.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The PADDY MURPHY illustrates the importance of tugboats in supporting Great Lakes maritime commerce during the late 19th century. Its loss highlights the dangers of onboard fires, a common hazard for steam-powered vessels. Despite its relatively short service life, the tug played a vital role in facilitating the safe and efficient movement of goods across Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

  • David Swayze Shipwreck File: Great Lakes Maritime History
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of shipwrecks and vessel histories in the region.

Diving Notes & Recommendations

  • Depth: Shallow and suitable for recreational divers.
  • Visibility: Conditions may vary; prepare for potential low visibility due to sediment and water conditions.
  • Precautions: Divers should be cautious of the wreck’s fragile state and avoid disturbing the site. Check for local regulations or permissions before diving.

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Conclusion

The PADDY MURPHY, a tugboat built in 1882 and lost to a fire in 1888, exemplifies the pivotal role of small working vessels in the maritime economy of the Great Lakes. Its sinking near Dover Bay, west of Cleveland, Ohio, marks a tragic end to a vessel that served a critical function in towing operations. The wreck, though deteriorated, remains a point of interest for historians and divers, preserving the memory of an essential chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.

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