Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Two Bros. 208773

Explore the remains of the Two Bros., a wooden fish tug lost to fire in 1913, a part of Michigan’s maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Two Bros.
  • Type: Wooden gas-powered fish tug
  • Year Built: 1909
  • Builder: Unknown, built in Northport, Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length: 26 ft (7.9 m); Beam: 9 ft (2.7 m); Depth of hold: 3 ft (0.9 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 12 GT
  • Location: Northport, Michigan, Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: 208773

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Two Bros. was classified as a wooden gas-powered fish tug, a type of vessel commonly used for commercial fishing operations on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Two Bros. was a small wooden fish tug, constructed in 1909 in Northport, Michigan. Fish tugs of this era were sturdy workboats, used for gillnetting and commercial fishing operations on the Great Lakes.

Operating out of Grand Haven, Michigan, Two Bros. would have been part of the region’s commercial fishing fleet, which supplied fish to markets in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

History

On January 26, 1913, while in Northport, Michigan, the Two Bros. caught fire and burned to a total loss. No specific details about the cause of the fire are recorded, but common causes for vessel fires during this period included engine or fuel system malfunctions, heating stoves or onboard lanterns tipping over, and electrical failures or sparks igniting fuel vapors. Fortunately, no lives were lost, suggesting that the vessel may have been moored and unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Significant Incidents

  • The vessel was completely destroyed, and no salvage efforts were reported.
  • Given its small size and wooden construction, any remains would have been scattered or burned beyond recovery.
  • No confirmed discovery of wreckage.
  • Any remnants would likely have been removed or deteriorated over time.

Final Disposition

The Two Bros. was lost to fire, resulting in a total loss of the vessel. No salvage efforts were made, and it is presumed that any remains have been lost to time.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, there are no confirmed discoveries of the wreckage of the Two Bros.. Any remnants of the vessel are likely to have deteriorated or been removed over the years.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”two-bros-208773″ title=”References & Links”]

The Two Bros. was a small but important part of the Great Lakes fishing industry, operating for just four years before being destroyed by fire in 1913. Like many early gasoline-powered vessels, she may have fallen victim to the fire hazards of early marine engines. While her remains are lost to history, her story is part of the larger maritime legacy of Michigan’s fishing fleet.

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.

Fish Tug Two Bros. (1909–1913)

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Two Bros.
  • Other Names: None
  • Official Number: 208773
  • Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden gas-powered fish tug
  • Builder: Unknown, built in Northport, Michigan
  • Year Built & Launched: 1909
  • Specifications: Length: 26 ft (7.9 m) Beam: 9 ft (2.7 m)Depth: 3 ft (0.9 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 12 GT
  • Net Tonnage: 11 NT
  • Date Lost: January 26, 1913
  • Location of Loss: Northport, Michigan, Lake Michigan
  • Cause of Loss: Fire, total loss
  • Loss of Life: None reported
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown (likely none, as the vessel was docked or moored at the time)

Vessel Description & History

The Two Bros. was a small wooden fish tug, constructed in 1909 in Northport, Michigan. Fish tugs of this era were sturdy workboats, used for gillnetting and commercial fishing operations on the Great Lakes.

Operating out of Grand Haven, Michigan, Two Bros. would have been part of the region’s commercial fishing fleet, which supplied fish to markets in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

Final Incident & Loss

On January 26, 1913, while in Northport, Michigan, the Two Bros. caught fire and burned to a total loss. No specific details about the cause of the fire are recorded, but common causes for vessel fires during this period included: Engine or fuel system malfunctions (gasoline engines were a new technology at the time). Heating stoves or onboard lanterns tipping over. Electrical failures or sparks igniting fuel vapors. Fortunately, no lives were lost, suggesting that the vessel may have been moored and unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Final Disposition & Salvage

  • The vessel was completely destroyed, and no salvage efforts were reported.
  • Given its small size and wooden construction, any remains would have been scattered or burned beyond recovery.
  • • No confirmed discovery of wreckage.
  • • Any remnants would likely have been removed or deteriorated over time.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Two Bros. was a small but important part of the Great Lakes fishing industry, operating for just four years before being destroyed by fire in 1913. Like many early gasoline-powered vessels, she may have fallen victim to the fire hazards of early marine engines. While her remains are lost to history, her story is part of the larger maritime legacy of Michigan’s fishing fleet.

two-bros-208773 1913-01-26 07:55:00