Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Peter Dalton
- Type: Single-screw wooden steam tug
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: Robertson shipyard, Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: 63 × 15 × 6 ft (49 GRT / 25 NRT)
- Registered Tonnage: 49 GRT / 25 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 15.24 m / 50 ft
- Location: Off Grosse Pointe, Michigan
- Official Number: 150192
- Original Owners: Independent Line, Chicago
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Peter Dalton was a single-screw wooden steam tug, designed for towing and assisting larger vessels in navigation.
Description
Built in 1880, the Peter Dalton measured 63 feet in length, 15 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 6 feet. It was registered at 49 gross tons and 25 net tons.
History
The Peter Dalton served primarily in the Chicago area, owned by the Independent Line. It was involved in various towing operations, including salvage missions.
Significant Incidents
- Date: April 12, 1896
- Location: Off Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Lake Michigan
- Circumstances: The tug caught fire while towing the salvage schooner A.J. Dewey, which was carrying a salvaged boiler from the wrecked steamer Solon H. Johnson.
- Result: The fire engulfed the tug, causing it to burn in two and subsequently sink in approximately 50 feet of water.
- Crew: None lost; crew and personnel aboard the Dewey were rescued by the tug Welcome.
Final Disposition
The Peter Dalton was declared a total constructive loss after sinking. No salvage operations were reported, and the tug remains submerged in mid-lake.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck lies in approximately 50 feet of water off Grosse Pointe, Michigan. It may be accessible for dive operations, although its exact condition remains undocumented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”peter-dalton-us-150192″ title=”References & Links”]
The steam tug Peter Dalton met its end on April 12, 1896, due to a catastrophic fire during a towing operation. The incident highlights the fire hazards associated with wooden steam vessels in the late 19th century. The wreck offers potential for archaeological research.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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