Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Red Cloud
- Type: Wooden propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1883
- Builder: S. Gibson at Ashtabula, Ohio
- Dimensions: 62 × 16 × 9 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 40 gross, 20 net tons
- Location: Cedar Point jetty, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 110578
- Original Owners: Great Lakes Towing Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Red Cloud was a wooden propeller steamer, classified as a tugboat, built to assist in harbor operations and towing.
Description
The Red Cloud measured approximately 62 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth. It was constructed in 1883 by S. Gibson in Ashtabula, Ohio, and had a registered tonnage of around 40 gross tons and 20 net tons.
History
Operated by the Great Lakes Towing Company, the Red Cloud was primarily used for towing and harbor assistance. Its service history included various runs across the Great Lakes, contributing to the maritime operations of the region.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: September 3, 1899
- Route: Returning to Lorain, Ohio after delivering the whaleback barge No. 132 to Sandusky.
- Incident Summary: The vessel lost steering or bearings in deteriorating weather and ran hard into the government jetty at Cedar Point, near the Lake Erie entrance. Although in only about 5 feet of water, it suffered catastrophic hull damage, threw out its boiler, and was rendered a total loss. No cargo was aboard at the time.
- Casualties: None reported; all crew survived.
Final Disposition
Despite severe damage, the Red Cloud remained in very shallow water but was deemed unsalvageable and formally abandoned. No underwater wreck survey has ever documented her remains, likely due to the salvaging or disassembly of her components in the shallow coastal area.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Red Cloud has not been confirmed through underwater documentation, and its current condition remains unknown due to the lack of surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”red-cloud-us-110578″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Red Cloud illustrates the vulnerabilities of harbor tugs, which, despite their size, could be lost in calm or shallow conditions when faced with severe structural damage, particularly during storms or navigational errors near jetties.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →