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 tug, built circa 1871)

Identification & Vessel Information

• Name: Ruby
• Type: Wooden propeller steam tug
• Built: Circa 1871
• Dimensions: ~31 gross tons
• Owner: John West, Detroit
• Tow Configuration: Operated in tandem with tow-boat Regulator, often handling tows of baled hay

Incident Overview – September 22, 1871

• Date: September 22, 1871
• Location: Detroit River, near Fighting Island
• Circumstances: Ruby, in tow with her towmate Regulator and laden with baled hay, suddenly caught fire
• Damage: The fire consumed both tug and tow, destroying the wooden hulls and cargo
• Casualties: No crew lost; none mentioned in records
• Final Disposition: Ruby was beached or allowed to drift ashore in the river, then burned to the waterline—resulting in a total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, linkstothepast.com)

Incident Context

• Operating along the Detroit River with tow lines linked to Regulator, Ruby was transporting flammable hay.
• The blaze swept through quickly, likely fueled by the hay cargo, leaving no time for firefighting (linkstothepast.com).
• Once engulfed, Ruby burned until reaching the waterline; she was declared a total constructive loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Result & Aftermath

• Total Loss: Both vessel and tow destroyed
• Crew Safety: Survived uninjured
• Maritime Record: Removed from registry; officially recorded in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files

Archival Gaps & Research Directions

• Exact Build & Official Number: Not yet identified—registry searches in 1871 Detroit ports may confirm
• Crew Names & Response Details: Crew manifests and firefighter or port logs could reveal identities and response
• Fire Origin Cause: Whether sparked by engine, friction, or external ignition remains unknown
• Wreck Site Post-Fire: Possible hull remains near riverbanks could offer archaeological interest

Summary

The steam tug Ruby, built circa 1871, met its fate on September 22, 1871, when a fire broke out—likely exacerbated by her hay cargo—while operating with her tow in the Detroit River near Fighting Island. The blaze fully destroyed both vessels, but crew escaped unharmed. The incident highlights the extreme fire hazards of hauling flammable cargos on wooden steam tugs in confined river environments.

Would you like me to pursue 1871 Detroit port records, crew lists, or fire department logs to capture identities and salvage efforts associated with the Ruby incident?

ruby-1871 1871-09-22 01:34:00