Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Samuel J. Christian
- Type: Wooden steam-powered tug (tugboat), steam-propeller driven
- Year Built: Approximately 1871–1876
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Depth at Wreck Site: 12 m / 40 ft
- Location: Detroit River
- Official Number: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden steam-powered tug (tugboat), steam-propeller driven.
Description
Description
The Samuel J. Christian was a wooden steam-powered tug built approximately between 1871 and 1876. The exact build date remains unverified due to a lack of early registry records. The tug was not listed in current Great Lakes registers, and its official number is unknown.
History
History
On the evening of October 19, 1901, the Samuel J. Christian was towing the schooner Senator down the Detroit River when it was struck by the inbound steamer John J. Albright. The collision resulted in the tug being cut in half, with the stern section sinking immediately in approximately 40 feet of water. The tug was declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the steamer John J. Albright on October 19, 1901, leading to the sinking of the Samuel J. Christian.
- Three out of five crew members perished in the collision.
- Two crew members survived; details about their rescue are limited.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
A formal investigation was convened on December 27, 1901, by the U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service. The investigation determined that the collision was not due to fault by the captain of the John J. Albright. There is no record of punitive action or license suspension following the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located in the Detroit River at a depth of approximately 40 feet (12 m). The stern section of the tug is submerged, while the disposition of the forward half remains unrecorded. Given the river currents, it is likely that the wreck settled on a sloping bottom downstream from the collision site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”samuel-j-christian” title=”References & Links”]
Summary
On October 19, 1901, the steam tug Samuel J. Christian, towing the schooner Senator, was struck by the inbound steamer John J. Albright in the Detroit River. The collision severed and sank the tug in about 40 feet of water, killing three crewmen and rendering the vessel a total loss. A federal investigation absolved the Albright’s captain of fault. The submerged remains await formal identification and assessment, while archival records hold keys to understanding the tug’s origins and crew.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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