Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

S.S. Coe (1868)

Explore the remains of the S.S. Coe, a wooden screw tug that sank in 1876 after a fire, reflecting early harbor vessel vulnerabilities.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: S.S. Coe
  • Type: Wooden screw tug
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Builder: Cleveland, OH (likely by local tug builders)
  • Dimensions:
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Cleveland, OH

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The S.S. Coe was a wooden screw tug, part of Cleveland’s early steam harbor fleet, primarily engaged in assisting other vessels at the harbor entrance, including towing and salvage operations.

Description

Built in 1868 in Cleveland, the S.S. Coe served as a vital component of the harbor’s operational capabilities. The vessel was designed to assist in various maritime tasks, showcasing the engineering of wooden-hulled tugs of the era.

History

The S.S. Coe was involved in numerous towing and salvage operations, often working alongside the tug F.W. Notter. Its service history reflects the bustling maritime activities of 19th-century Cleveland.

Significant Incidents

  • Date: April 14, 1876
  • Event: The tug burned out and sank at her dock in Cleveland following a fire of undetermined origin.
  • Outcome: Declared a total loss, but salvaged on May 1, sustaining approximately $13,000 in damage (roughly equivalent to $350k today).
  • Despite repairs reportedly being feasible, the vessel was not returned to service, likely retired afterward.

Final Disposition

The vessel sank in shallow harbor waters and was subsequently refloated. The post-salvage fate is unclear; it was likely dismantled or sold off, as there is no record of further operation. The Coe’s hull may still lie in parts in Cleveland harbor if dismantling wasn’t complete.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the S.S. Coe is uncertain. While the vessel was salvaged, remnants may still exist beneath harbor sediments, offering potential for underwater exploration and study.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”s-s-coe-1868″ title=”References & Links”]

The S.S. Coe, built in Cleveland in 1868, burnt and sank at her dock on April 14, 1876, during a dockside fire. Despite being declared a total loss, she was refloated on May 1, with around $13,000 in damage. Though she evidently didn’t sail again, her remains may persist beneath harbor sediments, offering a unique case study in 19th-century harbor vessel construction and salvage practices.

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 & Construction

  • Built: 1868, Cleveland, OH (likely by local tug builders)
  • Type: Wooden screw tug, part of Cleveland’s early steam harbor fleet
  • Role: Assisted other vessels at the harbor entrance, including towing and salvage operations

Incident & Sinking

  • Date: April 14, 1876
  • Event: Tug burned out and sank at her dock in Cleveland following a fire of undetermined origin
  • Outcome: Declared a total loss, but salvaged on May 1—found to have sustained approximately $13,000 in damage (roughly equivalent to $350k today) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Despite repairs reportedly being feasible, the vessel was not returned to service, likely retired afterward

Wreck Condition & Salvage

  • The vessel sank in shallow harbor waters and was subsequently refloated
  • Post-salvage fate is unclear—likely dismantled or sold off, as there’s no record of further operation
  • The Coe’s hull may still lie in parts in Cleveland harbor if dismantling wasn’t complete

Archival References

  • Incident documented in Cleveland Herald and Inter Ocean newspapers from April/May 1876
  • Listed in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files with mention of burning, sinking, refloating, and damage valuation (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Historical Significance

  • Illustrates rapid turnaround between harbor disaster and salvage effort in 19th-century Cleveland
  • Reflects early wood-hulled tug vulnerabilities to fire, common in ports full of wooden vessels and structures
  • Involved in towing and salvage operations, often working with the tug F.W. Notter

Recommended Research & Investigation

  • Salvage Documentation: Locate Cleveland Herald/Inter Ocean articles (Apr–May 1876) detailing damage and refloating
  • Port Records: Consult Cleveland Harbor Commission dredging and wreckage logs for remnants post-disposal
  • Underwater Survey: Side-scan or magnetometer scans along former Coe berth may reveal structural remnants
  • Registry Follow-up: Inspect U.S. Customs vessel records to determine Coe’s status post-1876

Summary

The S.S. Coe, built in Cleveland in 1868, burnt and sank at her dock on April 14, 1876, during a dockside fire. Despite being blasted as a total loss, she was refloated on May 1, with around $13,000 in damage. Though she evidently didn’t sail again, her remains may persist beneath harbor sediments, offering a unique case study in 19th-century harbor vessel construction and salvage practices.

s-s-coe-1868 1876-04-14 23:36:00