Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Satellite
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
VESSEL INFORMATION
- Name: Satellite
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1864
- Age at Incident: 15 years
- Service: Primarily used for towing schooner barges on the Great Lakes.
- Date of Incident: June 21, 1879
- Route:
- Departure: Detroit, Michigan
- Destination: Duluth, Minnesota
- Task: Towing four schooner barges
Description
EVENT DESCRIPTION
While en route to Duluth, the Satellite began to take on water rapidly due to an unknown cause. Captain Joshua B. Markee documented the event in a letter dated June 23, 1879. Despite efforts to bail and pump water from the vessel and locate the source of the leak, the situation quickly worsened.
Captain’s Observations:
- Water was gaining “an inch a minute.”
- The crew was unable to identify or remove any obstructions (“no logs in the way”).
History
OUTCOME
Sinking
The Satellite could not be saved and ultimately sank. The condition and fate of the schooner barges being towed at the time are not mentioned in the captain’s account.
Crew Safety
There is no indication of loss of life in the captain’s letter.
NOTABLE CONTEXT
The Satellite‘s loss highlights the challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation, especially for smaller, aging vessels like steam tugs. These vessels were critical to the success of commerce, often towing larger ships carrying bulk goods such as timber, grain, or coal. Their durability was frequently tested in the unpredictable conditions of the lakes.
Significant Incidents
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
- Legacy: The Satellite adds to the record of tugboat operations and their role in the transportation infrastructure of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
- Documentation: Captain Markee’s detailed letter provides a rare, firsthand account of a ship’s final moments, giving insight into the daily risks faced by mariners of the era.
Final Disposition
POTENTIAL SITE EXPLORATION
If the wreck of the Satellite were to be located, it could serve as a historical and archaeological site of interest. The condition of the wreck and the surrounding area might offer clues to the cause of the leak and further details about the tug’s construction and operation.
Would you like assistance in gathering more historical records or exploring its potential wreck site?
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Satellite remains undiscovered, but its historical significance continues to be of interest to researchers and divers alike.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”satellite-1864″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As you explore the waters of Lake Michigan, remember to respect the history of the Satellite and its role in maritime commerce. Leave only bubbles, take only memories, and be the diver that makes a difference.
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.
VESSEL INFORMATION
- Name: Satellite
- Type: Steam Tug
- Year Built: 1864
- Age at Incident: 15 years
- Service: Primarily used for towing schooner barges on the Great Lakes.
- Date of Incident
- June 21, 1879
- Route
- Departure: Detroit, Michigan
- Destination: Duluth, Minnesota
- Task: Towing four schooner barges
EVENT DESCRIPTION
While en route to Duluth, the Satellite began to take on water rapidly due to an unknown cause. Captain Joshua B. Markee documented the event in a letter dated June 23, 1879. Despite efforts to bail and pump water from the vessel and locate the source of the leak, the situation quickly worsened.
Captain’s Observations:
- Water was gaining “an inch a minute.”
- The crew was unable to identify or remove any obstructions (“no logs in the way”).
OUTCOME
Sinking
The Satellite could not be saved and ultimately sank. The condition and fate of the schooner barges being towed at the time are not mentioned in the captain’s account.
Crew Safety
There is no indication of loss of life in the captain’s letter.
NOTABLE CONTEXT
The Satellite‘s loss highlights the challenges of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation, especially for smaller, aging vessels like steam tugs. These vessels were critical to the success of commerce, often towing larger ships carrying bulk goods such as timber, grain, or coal. Their durability was frequently tested in the unpredictable conditions of the lakes.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
- Legacy: The Satellite adds to the record of tugboat operations and their role in the transportation infrastructure of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
- Documentation: Captain Markee’s detailed letter provides a rare, firsthand account of a ship’s final moments, giving insight into the daily risks faced by mariners of the era.
POTENTIAL SITE EXPLORATION
If the wreck of the Satellite were to be located, it could serve as a historical and archaeological site of interest. The condition of the wreck and the surrounding area might offer clues to the cause of the leak and further details about the tug’s construction and operation.
Would you like assistance in gathering more historical records or exploring its potential wreck site?