Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Roy US 110634

Explore the wreck of the Roy, a wooden steam tug that sank in Lake Erie in 1895 due to ice damage while towing another vessel.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Roy
  • Type: Wooden propeller-driven steam tug
  • Year Built: 1884
  • Builder: Lester, Marine City, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 79 ft × 18 ft × 9 ft; 88 gross tons, 51 net tons
  • Registered Tonnage: 88 gross tons, 51 net tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 7.32 m / 24 ft
  • Location: Lake Erie, approximately 1.5 miles east of Stoney Point
  • Official Number: 110634

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Roy was a wooden propeller-driven steam tug, designed for work and support in the Great Lakes fleet.

Description

Built in 1884, the Roy was primarily used for assisting larger vessels during challenging seasonal conditions, particularly in ice navigation.

History

Operating out of Chicago, the Roy played a crucial role in the Great Lakes fleet, particularly during the winter months when ice posed significant hazards to navigation.

Significant Incidents

Significant incidents include:

  • On December 16, 1895, while towing the disabled steamer Panther, the Roy was severely damaged by moving ice and sank in approximately 24 feet of water.
  • The crew successfully escaped by walking across the ice to the assisting tug S.C. Schenck.

Final Disposition

The Roy foundered in Lake Erie, and while it sank quickly, there is no documentation indicating that a salvage operation took place or that hazard markers were established post-sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck lies in shallow water, approximately 1.5 miles off Stoney Point. The quick sinking and its location likely prompted timely clearing or marking, but no further documentation suggests that hazard markers persisted.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”roy-us-110634″ title=”References & Links”]

The Roy exemplifies the perils faced by Great Lakes tugs during ice navigation. Her site may still host remains that warrant survey, and further research could provide insights into the conditions of her sinking.

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 & Loss Details

  • Name: Roy
  • Official Number: 110634
  • Build Info: Built in 1884 at Lester, Marine City, Michigan
  • Vessel Type: Wooden propeller-driven steam tug
  • Dimensions: 79 ft × 18 ft × 9 ft; 88 gross tons, 51 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Final Fate: She was cut by ice while towing the disabled steamer Panther and foundered on December 16, 1895, in Lake Erie, approximately 1.5 miles east of Stoney Point. Crew escaped by walking across ice to the assisting tug S.C. Schenck (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Incident Description

While engaged in ice navigation during December—a season known for ice hazards—the Roy was towing the disabled Panther alongside the tug S.C. Schenck. Heavy moving ice severely damaged her hull (“cut by ice”) and she sank in 24 feet of water. Thankfully, her crew survived by crossing the ice to the S.C. Schenck (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Operational Context

Operating out of Chicago, the Roy belonged to the Great Lakes fleet of work-and-support tugs. Her duties included assisting larger vessels during challenging seasonal conditions like ice navigation.

Wreck Site & Condition

  • Location: Lake Erie, east of Stoney Point (approx. 1.5 miles off shore)
  • Depth: Around 24 ft
  • Hazard Status: Quick sinking and proximity to a commonly traversed route likely prompted timely clearing or marking.

No further documentation suggests hazard markers persisted or that a salvage operation took place post-sinking.

Source & Research Notes

  • Core incident details are documented in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files under Roy, derived from historical marine records and contemporary reporting (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
  • The absence of registered casualties or cargo loss suggests only the vessel was affected.
  • Crew survival by ice transit indicates a relatively compact ice sheet, perhaps reducing potential for underwater mapping or artifact preservation.

Summary & Significance

The Roy exemplifies the perils faced by Great Lakes tugs during ice navigation. Operating in December 1895 alongside the S.C. Schenck and Panther, the Roy succumbed to ice damage and sank quickly with no casualties. Her site, lying in shallow water near Stoney Point, may still host remains that warrant survey. If you’re interested, I can assist with chart reviews or locating ice navigation logs from the S.C. Schenck or Panther to better define possible search areas.

roy-us-110634 1895-12-16 11:13:00