Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Vulcan
- Type: Wooden steam tug
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: W. Crosthwaite in Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: 63 ft (19.2 m) long × 14 ft beam × 5 ft depth; ~35 tons burthen
- Registered Tonnage: Not listed
- Location: Offshore Lake Huron between Saginaw and Cleveland
- Official Number: Not listed in primary databases
- Original Owners: Alger, Smith & Co. of Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden steam tug, employed in log rafting.
Description
Description
The Vulcan was a small wood-hulled steam tug built in 1868, primarily used for towing log rafts.
History
History
Owned by Alger, Smith & Co. of Detroit and commanded by Capt. William Rolls, the Vulcan was engaged in towing a large log raft from Saginaw toward Cleveland.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On June 7, 1883, a fire broke out around her engine room while offshore.
- The blaze engulfed the vessel rapidly, leading the crew to abandon ship.
- The crew of 14 successfully reached Vermilion, Ohio, with no fatalities reported.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The still-aflame hull was towed to Vermilion, where it was allowed to sink. It was later refloated for salvage, primarily to recover the engine and boiler.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The submerged hulk remained until it was raised for marine salvage. It is unclear whether any structural remains still exist underwater, suggesting the hull debris was likely removed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”vulcan-1868″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The Vulcan suffered a catastrophic engine-room fire offshore Lake Huron, leading to its abandonment. While no permanent wreckage appears to remain, further investigations may reveal residual debris or enhance our understanding of her final chapter.
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
- Name: Vulcan
- Official No.: Not listed in primary databases
- Type: Wooden steam tug, employed in log rafting
- Built: 1868 by W. Crosthwaite in Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: 63 ft long × 14 ft beam × 5 ft depth; ~35 tons burthen
- Loss Date: June 7, 1883
- Location: Offshore Lake Huron between Saginaw and Cleveland
- Crew: 14 onboard; no fatalities reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Facebook)
Operational Context
- Owned by Alger, Smith & Co. of Detroit
- Commanded by Capt. William Rolls
- Task: towing a large log raft from Saginaw toward Cleveland (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
- On June 7, 1883, while well offshore, a fire broke out around her engine room.
- The blaze engulfed the vessel rapidly, consuming the hull.
- The crew abandoned ship in the small boat and successfully reached Vermilion, Ohio.
- The still‑aflame hull was subsequently towed to Vermilion, where it was allowed to sink.
- The vessel was later refloated, primarily to salvage the engine and boiler (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- All 14 crew members survived without reported injuries.
Aftermath & Salvage
- The submerged hulk remained until it was raised for marine salvage—specifically the engine and boiler.
- It’s unclear whether any structural remains still exist underwater; subsequent details are sparse, suggesting the hull debris was likely removed.
Archival Sources & Recommendations
Primary Source:
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“V” letter): Provides built specs, loss details, crew survival, and salvage notes (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Further Research Avenues:
| Topic | Approach |
|---|---|
| Crew testimonies | Search Vermilion and Detroit newspapers (June 1883) for survivor accounts or interviews |
| Salvage & engineering records | Request marine salvage logs from Vermilion harbor, focusing on engine/boiler recovery |
| Ownership documentation | Review Alger, Smith & Co. archives—possibly at Detroit Public Library or corporate records |
| Physical remains | Conduct side-scan sonar surveys in the former scuttling/towing path toward Vermilion to detect remain |
Conclusion
The Vulcan was a small wood-hulled steam tug built in Saginaw in 1868, engaged in towing log rafts. On June 7, 1883, she suffered a catastrophic engine-room fire offshore Lake Huron, abandoned intact after the crew evacuated safely. The burning hull was towed to Vermilion, sank, and was later raised to recover machinery. No permanent wreckage appears to remain in situ, but archival and sonar-based investigations may reveal residual debris or complement our understanding of her final chapter.
Would you like me to draft relevant archival inquiry templates, locate newspaper clippings, or propose a targeted remote-sensing survey in Vermilion Bay?
vulcan-1868 1883-06-07 00:22:00