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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Official Number: Unknown
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Steam Tug (Towboat)
Hull Material: Wood
Decks: 1
Builder: W.D. Lewis, Detroit, Michigan
Year Built: 1860
Dimensions: Length: 42.5 ft (12.95 m); Beam: 12.5 ft (3.81 m); Depth: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Tonnage: 23 2/95 tons (old measurement)
Propulsion: Steam screw
Masts: 0
Owners: W.D. Lewis & John N. Stewart
Cargo on Final Voyage: None (harbor tug)
Date of Loss: December 24, 1868
Location: Saginaw, Michigan, Lake Huron
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Unknown (presumed harbor area)
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: None reported
Vessel Type Description
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.
Technical Specifications
Length: 42.5 ft (12.95 m)
Beam: 12.5 ft (3.81 m)
Depth of Hold: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Tonnage: 23 2/95 tons
Propulsion: Steam screw
Masts: None (steam-powered)
History
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.
Final Disposition
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.
Located By & Date Found
Unlocated. No confirmed survey or recovery has been reported.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted. No present-day hazards associated with this wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: Presumed destroyed by fire; no known remains.
Accessibility: Not accessible; believed lost or disposed of within Saginaw harbor.
Conclusion
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.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Ships Database – BGSU
- Great Lakes Ships Registry
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Keywords: Star tug, Star No. 2, steam tug, Great Lakes towing vessel, Saginaw fire, Lake Huron tugboat
Categories: Tugs, Towboats, Fire losses, Michigan-built vessels, Lake Huron
Glossary: screw propulsion, gross tonnage, burned, harbor tug
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Star
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: Unknown (Saginaw, MI harbor area)
Depth: Unknown
Location Description: Burned at Saginaw, Lake Huron
Vessel Type: Steam Tug
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 42.5 ft × 12.5 ft × 6 ft; 23 2/95 tons
Condition: Destroyed by fire; no remains
Cause of Loss: Fire
Discovery Date: Not located
Discovered By: N/A
Method: N/A
Legal Notes: Registry not located
Hazards: None
Permits Required: None