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.
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 steam tug, built 1880)
Identification & Vessel Information
- Name: Peter Dalton
- Official number: 150192
- Built: 1880 at Robertson shipyard, Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: 63 × 15 × 6 ft (49 GRT / 25 NRT)
- Type: Single-screw wooden steam tug
- Home port / Owner: Chicago, owned by the Independent Line
Incident Summary – April 12, 1896
- Date: April 12, 1896
- Location: Off Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Lake Michigan
- Circumstances: Peter Dalton was returning to Chicago towing the salvage schooner A.J. Dewey, carrying the salvaged boiler from the wrecked steamer Solon H. Johnson, when she caught fire aboard mid-lake (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Result: The fire engulfed the tug, she burned in two, and subsequently sank in approximately 50 ft of water (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Crew: None lost—crew and personnel aboard the Dewey were rescued by the tug Welcome (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Casualties & Losses
- Fatalities: None
- Vessel: Declared a total constructive loss after sinking
- Salvage: None reported; the tug remains sunk in mid-lake
Sources & Archival References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files summary entry; includes vessel specifications and fire incident detail (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Incident description indicates crew rescue and loss circumstances (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Confirmation of sinking catastrophic damage by fire (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Archival Gaps & Research Opportunities
- Exact fire origin: May have arisen from overheated engines or ignition of wooden structures; ship’s logs or insurance reports from the event could clarify.
- Crew roster and rescue specifics: Names and statements likely buried in Chicago Tribune or Detroit Free Press archives from April 1896.
- Interaction with A.J. Dewey: Logs of that salvage schooner may contain eyewitness annotations.
- Wreck site survey: Located in approximately 50 ft of water, remains may be accessible to dive operations; sonar or ROV documentation would help confirm location and condition.
Conclusion
The steam tug Peter Dalton, built in 1880 in Grand Haven, met its end on April 12, 1896, when a catastrophic fire broke out during an operation towing salvage equipment. The crew escaped unharmed, but the tug burned through her structure, snapped in two, and sank. The incident underscores the fire hazards aboard wooden steam-driven vessels in the late 19th century, especially during towing or salvage missions. The wreck lies in moderate water depths off Grosse Pointe, offering potential for archaeological or heritage research.
peter-dalton-us-150192 1896-04-12 14:36:00