Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Star No. 2
- Type: Steam Tug (Towboat)
- Year Built: 1860
- Builder: W.D. Lewis, Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 42.5 ft (12.95 m); Beam: 12.5 ft (3.81 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.83 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 23 2/95 tons (old measurement)
- Location: Saginaw, Michigan
- Coordinates: Unknown
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: W.D. Lewis & John N. Stewart
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Star was a small, wood-hulled screw tug designed for harbor towing and assistance. Vessels of this class were crucial in the 19th century, providing maneuvering power for schooners, barges, and larger lake vessels within confined ports, rivers, and shallow waters.
Description
Built in 1860 by W.D. Lewis of Detroit, Michigan, the tug Star was co-owned by Lewis and John N. Stewart. She entered service as a harbor tug, supporting navigation and commerce around Detroit and Saginaw. On December 18, 1865, she was renamed Star No. 2, likely following the commissioning of another tug of the same name. She operated under this designation until her destruction.
History
On December 24, 1868, Star No. 2 burned at Saginaw, Michigan. The precise cause of the fire is undocumented in surviving records. The tug was a total loss. No casualties were reported.
Significant Incidents
- December 24, 1868: Star No. 2 burned at Saginaw, Michigan; total loss.
Final Disposition
Unlocated. No confirmed survey or recovery has been reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: Presumed destroyed by fire; no known remains.
Accessibility: Not accessible; believed lost or disposed of within Saginaw harbor.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”star-no-2-star-star-no-1″ title=”References & Links”]
Though modest in size, the Star (Star No. 2) was representative of the small harbor tugs that kept 19th-century Great Lakes commerce moving. Her loss in 1868 illustrates both the vulnerability of wooden steam vessels to fire and the critical role such tugs played in supporting maritime infrastructure.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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